The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has intercepted 6.35 kilograms of cocaine valued at ₦2.35 billion along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, officials announced Tuesday.
Comptroller Gambo Aliyu disclosed the seizure during a handover ceremony in Lagos, where the confiscated drugs and other illicit substances were transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Aliyu said the interception was part of intensified operations along Nigeria’s borders to curb smuggling and drug trafficking. He emphasized that the Lagos–Abidjan corridor has become a critical route for traffickers, making vigilance essential to national security.
This latest bust adds to a string of high-profile seizures in recent years. In 2022, NDLEA operatives intercepted over 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in travel bags at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. In 2023, Customs officers seized multiple consignments of heroin and methamphetamine hidden in imported containers. These cases underscore Nigeria’s growing role as both a transit and destination hub for illicit drugs in West Africa.
Officials say the cooperation between Customs and NDLEA has been vital in disrupting trafficking networks. The NDLEA has pledged to pursue investigations to dismantle the syndicates behind the latest seizure.
Drug trafficking remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with authorities warning that criminal networks exploit porous borders and regional trade routes. The government has vowed to strengthen enforcement, enhance intelligence sharing, and expand international cooperation to combat the menace.
The Nigeria Customs Service is a paramilitary organization responsible for revenue collection, anti-smuggling enforcement, and trade facilitation. Operating under the Ministry of Finance, the NCS plays a dual role: safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and ensuring compliance with import and export regulations. Its mode of operations includes intelligence-driven patrols, checkpoints along major trade routes, and coordinated raids in collaboration with other security agencies.
In recent years, the NCS has achieved significant successes. It has intercepted large consignments of contraband, including arms, vehicles, and narcotics. In 2023, Customs officers seized multiple containers of heroin and methamphetamine hidden in imports, while in 2022, NDLEA operatives working with Customs intercepted over 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in travel bags at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. These operations underscore Nigeria’s growing role as both a transit and destination hub for illicit drugs in West Africa.
Drug trafficking remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with criminal networks exploiting porous borders and regional trade routes. The collaboration between NCS and NDLEA has been vital in disrupting trafficking syndicates. Officials say the latest seizure reflects the agencies’ commitment to protecting citizens and safeguarding the economy from the destabilizing effects of narcotics.
Aliyu reaffirmed that the NCS will continue to intensify surveillance and intelligence sharing, while the NDLEA pledged to pursue investigations to dismantle the networks behind the latest bust.
On the other hand, The NDLEA is Nigeria’s lead agency in combating drug trafficking and abuse. Established in 1989, it represents the country’s commitment to tackling narcotics at both the supply and demand levels. Its operations include intelligence gathering, airport and seaport surveillance, raids on drug cartels, and rehabilitation programs for drug users. In recent years, the NDLEA has achieved major breakthroughs, including the seizure of over 13 kilograms of cocaine at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in 2022 and the dismantling of methamphetamine labs in Lagos and Anambra.
The collaboration between NCS and NDLEA has been vital in disrupting trafficking syndicates. Some notable joint operations include:
- 2022 Airport Seizure: Over 13 kilograms of cocaine intercepted at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, concealed in travel bags.
- 2023 Container Raids: Customs and NDLEA jointly uncovered heroin and methamphetamine hidden in imported containers at Lagos ports.
- Border Patrol Operations: Coordinated surveillance along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor has led to multiple arrests and seizures of narcotics in transit.
- Methamphetamine Lab Busts: Intelligence sharing between the two agencies helped dismantle clandestine labs producing methamphetamine for export.
Drug trafficking remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with criminal networks exploiting porous borders and regional trade routes. The Lagos–Abidjan corridor has become a critical smuggling route, making vigilance essential. Both agencies have pledged to intensify surveillance, intelligence sharing, and international cooperation to protect citizens and safeguard the economy from the destabilizing effects of narcotics.
Aliyu reaffirmed that the NCS will continue to strengthen border patrols, while NDLEA officials emphasized their commitment to dismantling the networks behind the latest bust.
