The Tin Can Island Port Strategic Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that it intercepted 10,727.853 kilograms of illicit drugs with an estimated street value of over ₦100 billion between January and June 2026, highlighting what the agency described as one of its most successful operational periods in recent years.
Commander of Narcotics and Commander of the Tin Can Island Port Strategic Command, Omotosho Solomon Gbadebo, disclosed this during an exclusive interview with JournalNG, noting that the Command had significantly strengthened its intelligence-driven operations to prevent illicit drugs from entering Nigeria through the nation’s maritime gateway.
Gbadebo explained that the seizures included a 1,003-kilogram consignment of cannabis indica intercepted on January 28, a 4,729-kilogram seizure made in April, another 610.5 kilograms recovered three days later, and 4,173.5 kilograms intercepted in May, in addition to several smaller seizures recorded during the period.
He described Tin Can Port as a strategic entry point into the country, stressing that the Command works closely with other security agencies while relying heavily on intelligence, cargo profiling, technology and confidential informants to identify suspicious shipments before they arrive at the port.
According to him, traffickers have increasingly altered their smuggling routes by diverting consignments to neighbouring countries, including Ghana and the Republic of Benin, before attempting to move them into Nigeria by road. He maintained that the NDLEA’s nationwide operational network has continued to frustrate such attempts.
Gbadebo disclosed that all suspects linked to the seizures made during the first half of the year have been charged to court, while some have already been convicted. He added that the agency has also confiscated vehicles and containers used to conceal illicit drugs in line with the provisions of the NDLEA Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Beyond enforcement, the commander said the agency is intensifying its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes targeting truck drivers, port workers, terminal operators, security agencies, schools and other stakeholders to discourage drug abuse and reduce demand.
He called for increased government funding for the agency, acquisition of modern narcotics detection scanners, improved welfare for personnel and stronger inter-agency collaboration to further strengthen maritime drug enforcement.
Gbadebo also commended NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), for his leadership and welfare initiatives, which he said has boosted officers’ morale and enhanced operational efficiency.
He expressed confidence that the Command would surpass its first-half performance in the second half of 2026 through increased intelligence-led operations, more arrests, prosecutions and sustained efforts to keep Nigeria’s seaports free of illicit drugs.
“From Tin Can Command alone, we seized 10,727.853 kilograms of illicit drugs in the first half of 2026, with an estimated street value of over ₦100 billion.
“Tin Can Island Port is a no-go area for drug traffickers. If they attempt to bring illicit drugs through this port, they will lose both their investments and their freedom.”, he said.
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