The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an interim order from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for the forfeiture of 17 containers laden with illicit opioids valued at ₦33,691,200,000.
The containers were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, on multiple dates between April and September 2025, including April 29, May 14, May 19, May 20, May 28-30, June 13, July 29, August 13-14, and September 4. They contain 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 Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement made available to ThelensNG on Tuesday.
Babafemi revealed that the forfeiture order was issued by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, following a motion exparte filed by the NDLEA on February 10, 2026, in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.
Ruling on the application, Justice Adamu said: “An order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria seventeen (17) shipping containers containing a total, of three hundred and sixty-five thousand, six hundred and seventy-five (365,657kg) of various types of psychotropic substances, as well as other items as stated 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 that, “An order is hereby made vesting custody and possession of the said containers and their respective contents to the Applicant/Complainant untiI the final determination of this suit.”
Reacting to the court’s order, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the forfeiture as a death knell for the financial nerves 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 in destroying the lives of our youths and funding further criminality. By stripping the criminal syndicates of assets worth over ₦33.6 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 to fund terrorism and other forms of criminality in our country,” Marwa stated.
The NDLEA boss commended the Nigerian judiciary for its steadfast support and timely intervention in granting the interim forfeiture, noting that the partnership between the temple of justice and the Agency is critical to winning the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
He also lauded officers of the NDLEA, particularly those attached to the Onne Port Command, for their vigilance, professionalism, and scrutiny that led to the discovery of the concealed drugs.
Marwa further acknowledged the vital role played by sister security agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other port stakeholders, whose cooperation ensured a seamless interdiction process.
He equally commended international partners for their continued intelligence sharing and technical support, describing such collaboration as a cornerstone of the Agency’s success.
He reiterated the Agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks across the country.
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