By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered illicit opioids worth N16.9 billion following the seizure of over 4.3 million units of tramadol and codeine syrup from three hidden warehouses in Lagos.
Operatives carried out the intelligence-led operation on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Park View Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos State, where the warehouses were discovered concealed within residential buildings.
According to the Agency, the raid led to the recovery of 2,360,000 pills of high-potency tramadol 225mg and 1,909,400 bottles of codeine syrup, packed in dozens of cartons.
The drug haul, estimated at N16,927,200,000, was uncovered at 98 Olukayode Awofisayo Street and 5 Charles Ndumetu Street within the estate.
Reacting to the development on Wednesday in a statement, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba-Marwa (Rtd), describes the operation as a major blow to a drug syndicate operating within the country.
He said the scale of the seizure reflects both the desperation of traffickers and the effectiveness of the Agency’s intelligence network.
“The scale of this recovery, nearly 4.3 million units of lethal substances, is a testament to the fact that our officers are staying several steps ahead of these merchants of death,” Marwa said.
He warned that there is no safe haven for drug traffickers in Nigeria, adding that the Agency will continue to dismantle criminal networks and disrupt their financial base.
“We will find you, we will dismantle your networks, and we will bring the full weight of the law upon you,” he added.
The NDLEA said the operation marks a significant disruption of a major drug syndicate and reinforces its ongoing crackdown on illicit drug distribution networks across the country
