Security & Safety
The Drug Trafficking Menace: 1,187kg Cannabis, 25.5kg Cocaine — Can Nigeria’s Ports Be Secured?
In early December 2025, Nigeria’s busiest seaport witnessed two major drug busts within days of each other. First, Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA uncovered 25.5kg of cocaine aboard a Brazilian-flagged vessel at Apapa Port. Then, officers intercepted 1,187 kilograms of “Canadian Loud” — a premium cannabis strain — expertly concealed in 55 bags hidden inside imported vehicles in a 20-foot container.
By Bode Animashaun
The seizures tell a disturbing story. Not of isolated incidents, but of systematic exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime corridors by international drug trafficking syndicates. And the question hanging over the industry is stark: if enforcement agencies are making record seizures, how much is getting through?
The Scale of the Problem
The Nigerian Customs Service revealed it made 105 seizures of narcotics and other illicit drugs in 2024. But 2025 has seen an intensification of interdictions.
In October 2025, Tin Can Island Port Command intercepted two containers from Canada concealing ₦5.3 billion worth of drugs. The first container, originating from Montreal, held four vehicles with 78 kilograms of Colorado Indica cannabis and 1.2 kilograms of hashish oil. The second contained 1,093 kilograms of Cannabis Indica and eight kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
Then in November 2025, came what officials described as unprecedented: Customs uncovered 1,000 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at ₦29.4 billion in a 20-foot container at Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) in Lagos. The Customs Area Controller described the interception as the largest and first-ever hard drug seizure in the PTML command’s history.
Most recently, in January 2026, Tin Can Island Command handed over 2,366 packs of cannabis indica valued at over ₦4.7 billion to NDLEA.
In 2024, NDLEA seized over 2.6 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs, arrested more than 18,500 offenders, and secured convictions of over 3,250 individuals, including 10 drug barons.
These aren’t amateur operations. The sophistication suggests well-funded international networks with inside knowledge of port procedures.
Why Nigeria’s Ports Are Targeted
Nigeria’s strategic position on the West African coast and its dominance in trade shipments make its ports attractive conduits for the global drug trade, with reports indicating a surge in seizures at Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne ports.
Drug smuggling activities are orchestrated by large, well-organised cartels with significant funding and extensive intelligence networks that gather critical information on ship design configurations and routing schedules to aid their illicit operations.
The diversity of drugs intercepted reveals the scale of the problem. Drugs mostly involved were codeine, loud, opioids, colos, methamphetamine, tramadol, tapentadol, and heroin, with both air and seaports in Lagos State and Onne Port in Port Harcourt being the locations where the highest amounts were seized.
The Economic and Human Cost
The impact extends far beyond law enforcement statistics.
In countries where drugs are discovered on vessels, the financial burden on ship owners is immense, with ships and crews often detained for extended periods, leading to lost revenue from vessel delays, legal costs, crew salaries, and associated expenses.
Importers and shipping operators often pass on costs from drug-related delays to Nigerian consumers. Port congestion caused by prolonged investigations means vessels under investigation occupy berthing space, disrupting logistics and straining infrastructure.
But the human cost dwarfs the economic damage. Drug abuse among Nigerian youth has reached crisis levels. An analysis showed that based on street values provided by NDLEA, the monetary value of contraband drugs confiscated will be at least ₦100 billion for 2024, indicating the huge resources being wasted by Nigerians.
The Corruption Challenge
While enforcement agencies have made impressive seizures, systemic weaknesses persist. An academic paper examining Nigeria’s drug crisis cited a 2023 ICIR investigation that found 60% of drug seizures at Lagos ports involved bribes to officials. While this represents investigative reporting rather than official government data, it highlights corruption concerns that enforcement agencies must address.
A legal expert who did not want his name in print attributed the increasing involvement of people in drug trafficking to the slow pace of prosecution by NDLEA. According to NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, for 38 months up to April 2024, the agency arrested 50,901 suspects but secured only 9,034 convictions — just 18% of arrests.
Recent Success Stories
The December 2025 seizures at Apapa demonstrate what inter-agency cooperation can achieve. Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba of Apapa Port Command commended the robust synergy between NCS and NDLEA, reiterating zero tolerance for smuggling.
Oshoba stressed that while facilitating legitimate trade and maximizing revenue, national security would not be compromised.
Following the November ₦29.4 billion cocaine seizure, NDLEA Chairman Marwa directed that the agency’s leading international partners be involved in the investigation, with officers from US DEA and UK NCA joining the probe to ensure masterminds are brought to book wherever they are located globally.
The Deep Blue Solution
Perhaps the most significant development is NDLEA’s proposed integration into the Deep Blue Project, with Chairman Marwa urging NIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola to integrate the NDLEA Marine Command into the project.
The Deep Blue Project is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Federal Ministry of Defence, domiciled in NIMASA with contributions from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Department of State Services.
Marwa emphasized that recent seizures of illicit drugs at Lagos ports underscore the need for joint efforts to secure ports, noting that NDLEA has established a Marine Command to focus on this emerging threat.
Dr. Mobereola assured Marwa that NIMASA would explore avenues to integrate NDLEA personnel into the existing maritime security architecture, particularly the Deep Blue Project.
This integration could be transformative. The Deep Blue Project already provides surveillance and interdiction capabilities across Nigeria’s maritime domain. Adding NDLEA’s specialized drug enforcement expertise could significantly enhance detection and prosecution.
What Must Be Done: A Strategic Action Plan
1. Complete NDLEA Integration Into Deep Blue Project
The proposed integration shouldn’t remain in the discussion phase. NDLEA personnel need immediate access to Deep Blue’s surveillance systems, intelligence networks, and interdiction capabilities. Set a Q1 2026 deadline for full operational integration.
2. Deploy Advanced Detection Technology
The PTML terminal operator detected suspicious packages while disinfecting empty containers — the seizure came from vigilance, not technology. Nigerian ports need:
- Container scanning systems using gamma-ray and X-ray technology
- Drug-sniffing K-9 units at all major ports
- Chemical detection equipment for field testing
- Underwater hull inspection protocols
Currently, on average only one in ten containers is physically examined due to volume constraints. Technology can improve targeting without slowing legitimate trade.
3. Strengthen International Cooperation
Experts from UNODC, US Drug Enforcement Administration, INTERPOL, US Coast Guard, and Federal Police in Brazil have highlighted the increasing challenges of curtailing drug cartel activities.
Nigeria must establish real-time intelligence sharing with international partners. The collaboration with US DEA and UK NCA on the ₦29.4 billion cocaine case demonstrates what’s possible.
4. Address the Prosecution Bottleneck
With only 18% of arrests resulting in convictions, the judicial system is failing. Consider establishing a specialized drug trafficking court at major port complexes to:
- Process cases within 30 days
- Reduce port congestion from detained vessels
- Send strong deterrent message
- Prevent case backlogs that encourage corruption
5. Enhance Inter-Agency Coordination
Recent successful seizures involved joint examinations with Customs, NDLEA, DSS, Police Anti-Bomb Squad, and other security agencies. This model should be standard practice, not exceptional.
Marwa pledged NDLEA’s support in sensitizing NIMASA staff and cadets under the National Seafarers Development Program on the dangers of drug abuse. Cross-agency training should extend to all port workers.
6. Implement Risk-Based Profiling
The January 2026 cannabis seizure followed intelligence-led profiling. Develop comprehensive risk assessment systems analyzing:
- Vessel previous ports of call
- Cargo manifest anomalies
- Shipper and consignee histories
- Payment and documentation patterns
7. Mandate Drug Testing for Port Workers
NDLEA Chairman Marwa proposed commencing urine tests on truck drivers operating in Nigerian ports, with those testing positive barred from driving into terminals. This should extend to all port workers in sensitive positions.
8. Address Demand-Side Issues
Enforcement alone won’t solve the problem. Nigeria needs expanded treatment capacity. Only 3,000 rehab beds exist for an estimated 14 million users, with only 15% of planned rehab centers operationalized.
NGOs like YouthRISE Nigeria reduced opioid overdoses by 25% in Benue State through naloxone distribution. These community-based programs need national scaling and adequate funding.
9. Leverage Technology for Transparency
Combat corruption through:
- Biometric tracking of drug seizures from detection through court to destruction
- Randomized examination teams
- AI-based anomaly detection in clearance patterns
- Civilian oversight committees for major seizures
- Protected whistleblower programs
10. Adequate Funding
All of this requires investment. Yet the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy proposed just ₦10.5 billion for 2026 to oversee ports, shipping, inland waterways, and fisheries. In 2025, the ministry received only 1.7% of its capital budget.
Maritime security infrastructure must be adequately funded if Nigeria is serious about combating drug trafficking.
The Path Forward
Comptroller Oshoba emphasized: “No matter the volume of trade we are processing, we will never sacrifice national security and economy for any form of trade”.
That’s the right standard. The question is whether Nigeria’s institutions can maintain it systematically.
The December 2025 seizures prove that when agencies cooperate and intelligence is shared, criminals can be caught. The fact that US DEA and UK NCA are now involved in investigating the ₦29.4 billion cocaine seizure shows international partners are ready to collaborate.
NIMASA’s commitment to integrate NDLEA into the Deep Blue Project could be the game-changer Nigeria needs. But commitment must translate to action.
The technology exists. The international partners are willing. The legal framework is in place. What’s needed is:
- Urgent completion of NDLEA-Deep Blue integration (Q1 2026 target)
- Adequate funding for detection technology and personnel
- Specialized courts to eliminate prosecution delays
- Political will to confront corruption
- Investment in treatment and prevention
For the ten-month period through October 2024, NDLEA seizures totaled at least ₦100 billion in street value. Every kilogram of cocaine or cannabis flowing through our ports feeds addiction, fuels crime, and funds international criminal networks.
Nigeria’s seaports are increasingly being exploited as transit points for illicit drugs, raising concerns among law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and international stakeholders. But recent seizures show the tide can be turned.
Nigeria can secure its waterways. The December 2025 busts at Apapa, the November ₦29.4 billion cocaine interception, and the January 2026 ₦4.7 billion cannabis seizure demonstrate what’s possible when agencies work together.
Now Nigeria must make that possibility a permanent reality across every waterway, every port, every day.
Bode Animashaun writes on maritime and blue economy issues for waterwaysnew.ng
NPERA boss tasks Dangote, private sector on tech-driven local content to unlock economy
By Okeoghene Onoriobe | Waterways News
The Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima, has renewed his call for deeper local participation and technology investment as the pathway to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential, urging government and private business to work more closely together.
Akutah made the call while hosting a delegation from Dangote Industries Limited on a courtesy visit to NPERA’s Lagos headquarters. He argued that sustainable growth depends on Nigeria building up local capacity and innovation-driven solutions, alongside investment in productivity and efficiency-enhancing technology.
The NPERA helmsman said Africa’s development story should be anchored on technology, framing innovation as the key to closing existing inefficiencies and opening fresh economic opportunities. He also flagged the need for reforms that sharpen the competitiveness of Nigeria’s business environment.
According to him, federal efforts to grow the economy, including rising oil exports and job creation, would deliver far more if matched by strong local initiatives and private capital. He called on stakeholders to identify and back opportunities capable of unlocking Nigeria’s untapped potential, describing regulator-business partnership as central to that push.
Speaking earlier, Dangote Industries’ President, Aliko Dangote, represented by Managing Director of Dangote Operations, Akin Omole, pledged the Group’s continued backing for NPERA’s mandate and for Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, which he described as a critical growth driver.
The delegation noted that Dangote’s investments particularly the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and its three-million-tonne fertiliser plant, are helping shift Nigeria’s trade profile away from import dependence toward stronger export capacity, positioning the country as an emerging exporter of refined products and fertiliser.
In turn, the Group asked NPERA to guarantee a regulatory environment built on transparent, sustainable and globally competitive tariffs and service standards, urging the Agency to balance operator and government interests while helping lower the cost of doing business. Dangote expressed confidence that effective regulation, paired with continued private investment, would grow Nigeria’s blue economy.
Nigeria Watch
The Akutah-Dangote meeting lands squarely inside one of Waterways News’ running storylines: whether the NPERA Act, barely months into full implementation, can deliver the predictable, transparent tariff regime that big shippers and small-scale operators alike have been demanding of Nigeria’s port economy.
Dangote’s request for regulatory certainty on tariffs and service standards, echoes concerns this desk has tracked since NPERA formally commenced operations: that Nigeria’s port sector has long suffered from opaque charge regimes and inconsistent enforcement, driving up the cost of doing business for everyone from major industrial shippers to informal waterway transporters represented by bodies like WABOTAN and ATBOWATON.
Akutah’s emphasis on “local content” and tech-driven efficiency also speaks directly to a tension this publication has repeatedly surfaced: big-ticket private investment and blue economy rhetoric routinely outpaces attention to the artisanal and inland waterway operators who move the bulk of Nigeria’s local waterborne trade. Whether NPERA’s promised reforms translate into tariff relief and service upgrades that reach beyond deep-water ports and industrial players, down to informal jetties and cooperative-run waterways, remains the open question Waterways News will continue to hold regulators to.
Tin Can Customs Nets 204 More Pump-Action Rifles Smuggled in From Turkey
By Emetena Ikuku | Waterways News
The Nigeria Customs Service’s Tin Can Island Port Command has recorded another major arms interception, recovering 204 pump-action rifles concealed in a container that arrived from Turkey, the second such haul at the command in under three weeks.
The seizure was disclosed at a Monday briefing at the port by Deputy Comptroller-General Timi Bomodi, who heads Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection at Customs headquarters and spoke on behalf of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
According to Bomodi, a 20-foot container that reached Nigeria aboard the vessel MV Algeciras Express on August 16 was flagged on the basis of intelligence and pulled for full physical examination two days later. Officers found knocked-down firearm components hidden among a declared cargo of used furniture, refrigerators, solar panels and detergent. Investigators also noted inconsistencies in the shipment’s paperwork, particularly around the identity of the consignee, and say that thread remains under investigation.
A joint team drawn from the Customs Armament Unit and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, working under the Office of the National Security Adviser, assembled the parts into 204 complete MAS 49 Alter Magnum pump-action rifles. Customs also catalogued a large volume of leftover components, including dozens of trigger pins, locking lugs, charging handles, springs, barrels and pistol grips, which will be handed over alongside the assembled weapons for statutory disposal.
The find follows an August 18 seizure at the same command, when the Comptroller-General personally announced the interception of knocked-down parts later assembled into 399 pump-action rifles.
Bomodi framed the recovery as evidence that the Service’s risk-management and profiling systems are closing off the concealment tactics smugglers have relied on, and said the priority now is tracing the full supply chain, from origin and shipment to the intended buyers, rather than stopping at the seizure itself. Customs Area Controller for Tin Can Island, Compt. Joe Anani, added that the command does not intend to be an easy route for dangerous or prohibited imports into Nigeria.
The rifles were formally handed to the South-West Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, CP Abiodun Alamutu (rtd), for further statutory action.
Nigeria Watch
Two firearms seizures out of one command in three weeks, 603 pump-action rifles between them, say less about a single smuggling attempt than about a route. Tin Can Island has now surfaced twice running as the entry point of choice for parts shipped in a disassembled state and hidden inside legitimate-looking used-goods cargo, a method built to survive a cursory look and only fail under full physical examination.
For the ports and waterways sector, the story sits inside the wider Gulf of Guinea security conversation that Waterways News has tracked through the Deep Blue Project and the Navy’s anti-piracy posture: land-side arms trafficking through container cargo is as much a threat vector as offshore piracy, and it feeds the same informal weapons economy that inland waterway operators say complicates their own security exposure on the creeks and rivers.
The unresolved question in Bomodi’s own account, the mismatched consignee details still under investigation, is the one worth watching. Seizures make headlines; whether the paperwork trail leads back to identifiable importers and financiers is what will determine if this is enforcement working, or enforcement catching only the visible tip of a recurring supply line into Nigerian ports.
BOAT OPERATORS ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE LAGOON
.…..Carter bridge rescue exposes gap
By Oghenewoke Osaweren | Waterways News
Lagos, Nigeria. For the second time in just over a year, informal boat operators, not any designated emergency service, were the ones who pulled a woman alive from the Lagos Lagoon after she jumped from Carter Bridge, raising fresh questions about who is actually responsible for water rescue on one of Africa’s busiest urban waterways.
The unidentified woman jumped from the Idumota end of the bridge on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 4. Eyewitnesses said local boat operators working within the area reacted within moments, pulling her from the water before she could be swept further into the lagoon’s currents. Video circulating on social media shows her seated inside a wooden canoe, visibly disoriented, as bystanders on the bridge above shouted down, some pleading with the operators not to hand her over to the police, others audibly distressed and asking what could have driven her to the water’s edge.
A PATTERN AT THE SAME BRIDGE
This is not an isolated site incident. In July 2025, a separate woman was intercepted at the same Carter Bridge location, that time by police Rapid Response Squad officers on routine patrol, before she entered the water. Tuesday’s case had no such patrol presence. The outcome depended entirely on boat operators who happened to be working nearby.
Carter Bridge, opened in 1901, is one of only three crossings linking Lagos Island to the mainland, alongside Eko and Third Mainland bridges, and sits directly over lagoon waters used daily by commercial boat traffic, artisanal fishermen and ferry operators. That density of water traffic is precisely why informal operators keep ending up as the default emergency responders, they are simply the ones already on the water when someone goes in.
NO FORMAL WATER RESCUE MANDATE
Neither the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) nor the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) operates a dedicated, publicised rapid-response rescue protocol for bridge-jump incidents on Lagos waterways, despite the lagoon’s role as a primary transport corridor for hundreds of thousands of commuters. Search-and-rescue capacity for road-based emergencies sits with the police and, in some cases, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) but water incidents routinely fall to whichever boat happens to be nearest, with no formal reporting chain back to state authorities on outcomes, casualty data or referral to mental health support afterward.
That gap matters beyond this single case. Nigeria records among the highest estimated suicide rates in West Africa according to World Health Organization modelling, yet has no national suicide prevention strategy comparable to those adopted elsewhere on the continent, and Lagos, a lagoon city where bridges double as the tallest accessible points over open water, has no publicly documented protocol connecting bridge surveillance, water rescue and post-rescue mental health referral into a single chain of response.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE RESCUE
As of the time of filing, the woman’s identity, condition and the circumstances that led to the incident remain undisclosed. It is not yet known whether she was handed to police, taken to a hospital, or released, despite the pleas heard on video against police involvement, a detail that itself reflects a wider public wariness in Lagos toward treating suicide attempts as a criminal matter rather than a medical one. The Lagos State government had not issued a statement at the time of this report.
This story concerns a suicide attempt. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted person, a doctor, or a crisis line for support.
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