Reports: Drug Seizures at Nigerian Ports Reach ₦3tn in Five Years

Nigeria’s seaports have become a key battleground in the fight against drug trafficking. New data shows that narcotics worth over ₦3 trillion were intercepted at the country’s maritime gates over five years.

Statistics from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reveal that 2,553,132.90 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized at Nigerian seaports between 2021 and 2025. This highlights both the extent of trafficking attempts and the strong enforcement efforts at the country’s ports.

Seizures occurred at major maritime entry points like Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port, and the Port Harcourt seaport command. Expanded marine surveillance operations also contributed to these results.

Authorities indicate that these figures underline Nigeria’s growing role in the global drug trade and the heightened efforts by enforcement agencies to combat it.

Surge in seizures across ports

A closer look at the numbers shows fluctuating but significant amounts of drugs intercepted during the reviewed period.

Punch mentioned the NDLEA data shows 96,690.90 kg of drugs were seized at seaports in 2021, followed by 20,296.70 kg in 2022. Interceptions increased again in 2023 to 86,169.54 kg, before surging to 1,745,422.75 kg in 2024, the highest recorded in the five years. The seizures remained substantial in 2025, with 605,553.01 kg confiscated by enforcement agencies.

Officials familiar with the data attribute the dramatic spike in 2024 to intensified enforcement and better intelligence gathering at the ports.

Port-by-port statistics reveal that Apapa Port, Nigeria’s busiest seaport, had seizures of 33,540 kg in 2021, 17,759.74 kg in 2022, 85,491.59 kg in 2023, 54,116.17 kg in 2024, and 153,028.19 kg in 2025.

At Tin Can Island Port, seizures fluctuated sharply, rising from 22,725.60 kg in 2021 to 1,881.80 kg in 2022 and 654.40 kg in 2023, then dramatically increasing to 454,586.54 kg in 2024. The port recorded 30,815.21 kg in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt seaport command experienced some of the largest increases in seizures. Numbers moved from 40,425.30 kg in 2021 and 143.83 kg in 2022 to 23.55 kg in 2023. It then soared to 1,227,595.42 kg in 2024 and 410,553.61 kg in 2025.

Marine patrols also increased, with the NDLEA’s Marine Command seizing 9,121.49 kg in 2024 and 11,156 kg in 2025. This reflects expanded monitoring of coastal and inland waterways used by traffickers.

Drug Street value crosses ₦3 trillion

Using NDLEA valuation benchmarks, officials estimate the total street value of the confiscated drugs at well over ₦3 trillion. This represents a significant financial hit to drug trafficking networks operating through Nigeria.

The NDLEA points out that the valuation reflects the high market price of certain drugs. For example, one kilogram of cocaine can sell for between ₦800 million and ₦1 billion. While methamphetamine goes for about ₦400 million to ₦600 million per kilogram.

Though substances like cannabis, tramadol, and codeine-based medicines have lower prices individually, their large quantities greatly contribute to the overall value of seized shipments.

Traffickers exploiting maritime routes

Officials say these figures also show the increasing preference of international drug syndicates for maritime routes, particularly container shipping.

According to reports, Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, states that traffickers often try to hide drugs among legitimate cargo or vehicles transported through seaports.

Babafemi said the agency has intensified intelligence-based operations at maritime entry points.

“The data reflects sustained, intelligence-driven interdiction efforts across Nigeria’s seaports.” He said, noting that traffickers frequently exploit container shipping and vessel movements to smuggle bulk quantities of drugs.

He added that the agency has improved risk profiling, container tracking, and collaboration with other security agencies. These measures make Nigeria’s ports increasingly unwelcoming for drug traffickers.

Growing international collaboration

The rising scale of drug trafficking through Nigerian ports has caught international attention. In 2025, authorities found 1,000 kilograms of cocaine in a container at Tin Can Port in Lagos. This is one of the largest single drug seizures in the country’s history.

This discovery led to joint investigations with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa stated that the collaboration aims to dismantle the cartel behind the shipment.

“The essence of collaborating with our international partners… is to ensure no stone is left unturned.” Marwa said while announcing the probe.

Experts note that Nigeria’s location along West Africa’s coast and its high trade volumes make its ports attractive transit points for global drug networks.

Enforcement pressure rising

Despite the ongoing attempts by traffickers, authorities maintain that enforcement pressure is increasing.

Analysts suggest that the sharp rise in seizures in recent years indicates that traffickers are being pushed into riskier operations as surveillance improves.

For Nigeria, the fight at its seaports goes beyond intercepting contraband. It aims to disrupt transnational criminal networks that use the country as a gateway to other parts of Africa and beyond.

With seizures now totaling trillions of naira, authorities say the message to drug syndicates is clear: Nigeria’s maritime gateways are becoming increasingly difficult terrain for the illegal drug trade.