The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an interim forfeiture order for 17 containers loaded with illicit opioids valued at over N33.6 billion.
In a statement released on April 21, the agency said the containers were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, on various dates in 2025 — September 4; August 14 and 13; July 29; June 13; May 30, 29, 28, 20, 19 and 14; and April 29.
According to the statement, the containers held a staggering haul of 19,600,000 pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, as well as 2,496,400 bottles of codeine syrup. The combined street value of the seizures is estimated at N33,691,200,000.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the forfeiture order was issued by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, following an ex parte motion filed by the agency on February 10, 2026, in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.
Ruling on the application, Justice Adamu stated:
“An order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria seventeen (17) shipping containers containing a total of 365,657kg of various types of psychotropic substances, as well as other items listed in the schedule to this application, illegally imported into Nigeria through the Onne Sea Port, Onne, Eleme, Rivers State, by unknown persons.”
He further ruled:
“An order is hereby made vesting custody and possession of the said containers and their respective contents in the applicant/complainant until the final determination of this suit.”
Reacting to the court’s order, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the forfeiture as a major blow to the financial backbone of the criminal syndicates involved.
“This is not just a seizure; it is a total dispossession of the resources the drug cartels intended to use to destroy the lives of our youths and fund further criminality. By stripping the syndicates of assets worth over N33.6 billion, we have struck at the heart of their operations.
“This sends a clear message: the Nigerian state will not allow the proceeds of death to circulate and fund terrorism or other forms of criminality in our country,” he said.
Marwa commended the judiciary for its swift intervention, noting that collaboration between the courts and the agency is crucial in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
He also praised NDLEA officers, particularly those at the Onne Port Command, for their vigilance and professionalism, which led to the discovery of the concealed drugs.
The NDLEA boss further acknowledged the support of sister agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as other port stakeholders, for their role in ensuring a seamless operation.
He added that international partners have continued to provide intelligence and technical support, which remains vital to the agency’s success, reaffirming NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug networks across the country.
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