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Tag: NDLEA

  • Over 30 arrested as NDLEA, Police, Civil defence, Amotekun, OPC raid drug dens in Ondo

    Over 30 arrested as NDLEA, Police, Civil defence, Amotekun, OPC raid drug dens in Ondo

    A combined security task force has arrested no fewer than 30 suspected drug peddlers and dealers during a coordinated raid on several drug flashpoints in the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo state.

    The joint operation, codenamed “Operation Sweep”, was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, Forest Guards, and the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC).

    The operation, which was supervised by the Chairman of Akoko North-East LGA, Hon. Mohammed Mutiu Olawale, led to the seizure of large quantities of narcotic substances, including cannabis, tramadol, and other illicit drugs.

    Speaking after the raid, Hon. Olawale said the crackdown followed credible intelligence reports on the rising activities of drug dealers across the council area. 

    He noted that the exercise was part of the council’s resolve to reclaim communities from the grip of drug-related crimes.

    “At least 25 drug peddlers were arrested while 7 drug lords were also nabbed by the security agencies. A woman who had been in the illicit business of selling drugs was among those apprehended,” Olawale said.

    He lamented the growing menace of drug abuse among youths, describing it as a “raging fire consuming the strength, future, and promise of our young people.”

    “Hard drugs have fueled crime, suppressed productivity, and threatened the stability of our communities. We cannot fold our arms while our sons and daughters are consumed by addiction.”

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    According to him, several criminal hideouts were dismantled during the operation, while the task force also destroyed makeshift structures where illicit activities thrived.

    Olawale commended the joint security agencies for their synergy and professionalism and thanked residents for their cooperation. 

    He described the operation as a timely and courageous effort to restore peace and safeguard the future of the youth.

    The chairman also appreciated Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his continuous support for local security initiatives.

    “This effort is more than just an operation – it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to safeguard lives, restore public sanity, and secure the future of our youth. 

    “Let this serve as a stern warning to all those still involved in the sale or use of hard drugs: your days of impunity are numbered,” he declared.

    Hon. Olawale called on parents, religious leaders, youth groups, and community stakeholders to partner with security agencies in the fight against drug abuse.

    “In Akoko North-East, we will continue to say no to drugs, no to crime, and yes to peace, progress, and purposeful living,” he affirmed.

  • Drug parties?

    Drug parties?

    A new trend in the use and abuse of illicit drugs appears to be creeping into Nigeria’s list of social vices. Nothing bears out this foreboding development than last week’s warning by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to club operators and fun seekers against organising and attending ‘drug parties’.

    NDLEA’s warning followed its raiding of a night club in Akin Adesola Street, Lagos penultimate weekend and subsequent arrest of over 100 attendees including the club owner and his manager for organising and attending a drug party.

    The raid was sequel to intelligence which revealed that the organisers had circulated flyers, inviting people to what they called a ‘drug party’. The agency said in a statement that its “undercover agents had infiltrated the night club, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs and monitored activities for four hours before storming the premises between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday”.

    During the raid, 384,886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis and other illicit substances were allegedly recovered from the club’s store. The agency has filed a suit against the alleged promoters to secure forfeiture of the property in which the drug party was held.

    NDLEA did not disclose the names of other illicit substances recovered during the raid apart from Canadian Loud. But the term ‘Loud’ is a slang for high-quality cannabis that may have derived its name from the legalisation of recreational marijuana by the Canadian government in 2018.

    It would have made more sense had the agency named the other confiscated illicit substances. That would have given a clearer picture on why the event was advertised as a drug party. But we are only contending with marijuana- an illicit substance that is hawked freely around motor parks and drinking joints around urban centres. Could marijuana have been the only attraction to the advertised drug party?

     This gap notwithstanding, the development is very worrisome as it seems to have added a new dimension to the war against illicit drugs. It is perhaps, the first time the attention of Nigerians is being drawn to advertisements and invitation to a party for the sole purpose of consuming illicit drugs. It sounds somehow confusing.

    NDLEA alleged it reached its conclusion that the club hosted a drug party through flyers circulated by its organisers. That is their evidence. Though one is not privy to the flyers to draw independent conclusions on its contents, the open purchase of drugs within the club’s premises and seizure of 384,886 kilograms of Canadian Loud and other illicit substances from the club’s store appear as corroborative evidence.

    The agency is not taking the matter lightly. It considers the incident a test case because of its domino effect. “We will not allow a culture of impunity such as this to evolve in Nigeria. If you allow one, give it two or three weeks and every night club in the country will invite people to come and have a drug party. We will not allow it”, Buba Marwa, chairman/chief executive of the agency said.

    His warning to club owners, hoteliers and facility managers that their buildings risk being seized if they are used for drug-related activities underscores the determination of the agency to nip the emerging trend in the bud. The agency is right to be apprehensive of the fast spread of such acts of impunity if stern measures are not taken to punish offenders. The nation’s experience with other social vices including the festering insecurity has shown how tardiness could aid their quick spread.

    There is little doubt that much of the consumption of hard drugs takes place in and around entertainment centres, hotels and motor parks. The usual practice is for some agents to lurk around these venues either on their own or in connivance with their owners to sell the substances to willing buyers.

    It is usually a secret affair only open to those initiated to the act. It must have therefore struck Nigerians as a huge shock that flyers inviting people to come and consume illicit substances could be brazenly circulated in the public space. That is a new high in the abuse, spread and consumption of illicit substances.

    But it also says something about the efficacy of the campaigns by the NDLEA against the circulation, sale and consumption of hard drugs. It is either the organisers of the drug party were ignorant of the implications of the contents of the flyers or they thought they could get away with their act of indiscretion. Whichever way, the advertisement was a very reckless endeavour.

    Before now, Nigeria used to be a transit route for illegal drugs’ exportation. For the years our borders served as transit routes for hard drugs, many of our citizens had little idea of what such banned substances looked like. Neither did they indulge in their consumption.

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    But all that changed with time. Consumption, sale and patronage of illicit drugs are now commonplace within our shores. Nigeria’s most recently widely cited national drug consumption prevalence rate was put at 14.4 per cent among a population aged between 15 and 64 years. This figure which represents approximately 14.3 million people came from two major national surveys conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and the National Bureau of statistics (NBS).

    It is nearly three times the global average of 5.5 per cent. The figure speaks eloquently of the alarming progression of the country from transit camp to consumption home. Not only are Nigerians involved in the export and sale of illicit drugs, they are also reported to be into their cultivation and production.

    It is not surprising that the country is now posting consumption rates nearly three times the world average. That should be a big source of concern. And for a country that houses the poorest of the poor in spite its huge natural endowments, this figure is bound to grow further unless serious measures are taken to stem the tide. It is not just enough to mount campaigns against illicit drug consumption without addressing the factors that predispose our citizens to it.

     The link between abject poverty, high level of unemployment and the consumption of hard and illicit drug substances has long been established. World Bank’s October 2025 report showed that approximately 139 million Nigerians live in poverty, representing about 62 per cent of the population. NBS had also reported in 2022 that 63 per cent of the population or 133 million Nigerians were multi-dimensionally poor.

    Even then, the alarming number of arrests and seizure of huge quantities of illicit substances by the NDLEA only reinforce how widespread the abuse has become.  In the last 30 months, the agency made 45,853 arrests, seized 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, secured 9,263 convictions and rehabilitated 26,613 drug users. The data is scary. But it illustrates most clearly the daunting nature of the war against illicit drugs.

    It requires concerted action not only in arresting and punishing offenders but addressing the objective conditions that predispose a preponderance of our citizens to their use.

  • NDLEA busts Lagos Colorado laboratry

    NDLEA busts Lagos Colorado laboratry

    •Agency arrests music artist; recovers tons of opioids, skunk

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has uncovered a clandestine laboratory where Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis is being produced in a residential building located at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, with large quantities of freshly cooked Colos and various precursor chemicals for drug production recovered. Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday, said the 30-year-old lab owner, Stephen Kelechi Imoh was arrested.

    Babafemi said the discovery followed months of intelligence gathering on possible Colos laboratories in Lagos after NDLEA officers intercepted consignments of freshly produced Colos in March and May, a development that suggested that the dangerous psychoactive substance, which was hitherto imported into the country, was now locally produced.

    According to the statement, the effort paid off last Thursday when NDLEA officers raided the residential apartment in Ajao Estate, Isolo which Kelechi converted to a laboratory for cooking Colos, a strain of cannabis produced with the psychoactive plant and various chemicals.

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    Recovered from the apartment include: freshly cooked Colos weighing 16.2 kilograms;  ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol -1.7kg;  Potassium Carbonate -4.5kg and Dibromobutane – 91 litres, Babafemi said.

    According to the statement, in another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided the enclave of a 28-year-old drug dealer Afeez Salisu (alias Malu) in Mushin where 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis as well as designer sachets and bottles of Colorado weighing 16.4kg were recovered from him.

    The statement reads: “A music artist Godspower George Osahenrumwen whose stage name is Steady Boy was on Thursday arrested by NDLEA operatives while attempting to take delivery of a large consignment of Loud, a strain of cannabis concealed inside three cartons of bathtub imported along with other items such as cloths and gadgets from New York, United States. This followed the seizure of the shipment which arrived the import shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos from US aboard a DHL flight on Tuesday.

  • NDLEA busts clandestine Colos lab in Lagos, intercepts Loud consignments in bathtubs

    NDLEA busts clandestine Colos lab in Lagos, intercepts Loud consignments in bathtubs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has uncovered a clandestine laboratory where Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis is being produced in a residential building located at Ajao estate, Isolo Lagos with large quantities of freshly cooked Colos and various precursor chemicals for drug production recovered.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who discosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the 30-year-old lab owner, Stephen Kelechi Imoh arrested.

    Babafemi said the discovery followed months of intelligence gathering on possible Colos laboratories in Lagos after NDLEA officers intercepted consignments of freshly produced Colos in March and May 2025 in the state, a development that suggested that the dangerous psychoactive substance, which was hitherto imported into the country, was now locally produced.

    According to the statement, the effort paid off last Thursday when NDLEA officers raided the residential apartment in Ajao estate, Isolo Lagos which Kelechi converted to a laboratory for cooking Colos, a strain of cannabis produced with the psychoactive plant and various chemicals. 

    Recovered from the apartment include: freshly cooked Colos weighing 16.2 kilograms;  ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol -1.7kg;  Potassium Carbonate -4.5kg and Dibromobutane – 91 litres, Babafemi said.

    According to the statement, in another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided the enclave of a 28-year-old drug dealer Afeez Salisu (alias Malu) in Mushin where 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis as well as designer sachets and bottles of Colorado weighing 16.4kg were recovered from him.

    The statement reads: “A music artist Godspower George Osahenrumwen whose stage name is Steady Boy was on Thursday 30th October arrested by NDLEA operatives while attempting to take delivery of a large consignment of Loud, a strain of cannabis concealed inside three cartons of bathtub imported along with other items such as cloths and gadgets from New York, United States. This followed the seizure of the shipment which arrived the import shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos from US aboard a DHL flight on Tuesday 28th October.

    “The 20-year-old music artist was nabbed at Bougain Villa, Primewater Gardens 2, Freedom way, Lekki Lagos when he showed up as the consignee to take delivery of the 140 bags of Loud with a gross weight of 77.20kg on behalf of a syndicate, which includes his manager, Zion Osazee Omigie (a.k.a Zee Money) who is currently at large.

    In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abuja – Jos highway on Sunday 26th October intercepted a consignment of 84,710 capsules of tramadol coming from Onitsha, Anambra state and heading to Bauchi. A follow up operation in Bauchi led to the arrest of the recipient Musa Abdulkarim, 27. Two days later, Tuesday 28th October, operatives at the tollgate along Abuja – Kaduna highway arrested Hamza Musa, 47, conveying 32, 946 bottles of Akuskura, a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) from Lagos, while Saidu Nafiu, 30, was nabbed with 131.5kg skunk at Kamfanin Zangon Aya, Igabi LGA, Kaduna.

    “Three suspects: Seun Olaniyi, 24; Rauf Asogba, 28; and Ayinla Adeniyi, 50, were on Saturday 1st November arrested at Abeokuta, Ogun state after a team of NDLEA officers tracked their movement from Benin Republic and eventually intercepted their bus along Abiola way, Abeokuta, with a total 1,779kg skunk recovered from them.

    While Jamilu Mustapha (a.k.a Last Card), 46, was arrested with 596.4kg skunk at Nasaru town, Ningi LGA, Bauchi State on Wednesday 29th October, no fewer than 532,600 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from the trio of Halilu Amiru; Rabiu Maikudi and Ibrahim Mati in a truck marked KTG- 791 ZZ  at Oko-olowo, Ilorin, Kwara state same day.

    In Edo state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Okhokho – Isi community in Uhunmwode LGA on Wednesday 29th October intercepted two Toyota Sienna buses marked EPE 545 EV and ABC 142 CD conveying a total of 1,455kg skunk following credible intelligence.

    “In like manner, operatives in Ondo state on Tuesday 28th October recovered a total of  2,829kg skunk linked to a 32-year-old female suspect Mrs. Ige Olarewaju from two locations at Ayede, Ogbese, while another suspect Samuel Adebayo was nabbed with 737kg of same psychoactive substance at Adegbola junction, Akure.

    No less than 76.5 litres of skuchies, a mixture of black currant, skunk and opioids were seized from a suspect Ige Oluwale, 50, who was arrested by NDLEA officers at Ibereko, Bagadry, Lagos on Friday 31st October, while a total of 30,370 pills of tramadol and 177 grams of methamphetamine were recovered from the duo of Musbahu Abdullahi, 28; and Saleiman Ahmed, 25, following their arrest at Wukari, Taraba state by operatives on Thursday 30th October when they were conveying the drugs from Onitsha, Anambra state to Yola, Adamawa state.

    “Meanwhile, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Aroje/Abaa Community High School, Ogbomoso, Oyo state;

    Amazing Flower Secondary School, Maya, Ikorodu, Lagos; Government Day Secondary School, Ilelah, Sokoto; Government Day Secondary School, Darina, Gwiwa LGA, Jigawa Royal Star Academy, Hayin Gwarmai, Bebeji LGA, Kano state, among others.

    “While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Ogun, Taraba, Ondo, Seme, and Bauchi Commands as well as their compatriots across the country for their resilience, professionalism and balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the country, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) vowed that the Agency will continue to target and dismantle every identified drug syndicate in any part of Nigeria while denying them of the benefits of the proceeds of their criminal trade by ensuring that they forfeit all their traceable assets to the Federal Government.”

  • One dies, two injure in NDLEA’s shootout with drug baron in Edo

    One dies, two injure in NDLEA’s shootout with drug baron in Edo

    One person has been confirmed dead and three others injured in Monday’s gun battle between suspected drug barons and officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. 

    The 16-year-old  Emmanuel Monday died while the injured were an NDLEA official, one Godspower Omage ,20, and Ajayi Irobia 54.

     Edo State NDLEA Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said operatives of the agency were on official assignment when they were attacked by armed drug barons.

    He said the community was renowned for cannabis sativa cultivation.

    Edo Police Deputy spokesman, ASP Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the community to condole with the bereaved family and ascertain the true situation.

    It said the Edo CP visited parents of the deceased boy and held a peace engagement with community leaders and youths.

    The statement said Agbonika said the Police have taken over the case and commenced a thorough and impartial investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “Furthermore, the CP visited Godswill Memorial Nursing Centre, Uzeba, where he met God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), who were receiving medical attention. He assured them of justice and police support.

    “The CP also visited the mortuary where the remains of the deceased boy were deposited, and he arranged for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and ensure proper documentation for the ongoing investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City. The Command assures the general public that updates on the investigation will be communicated as soon as credible findings emerge. The Edo State Police Command remains committed to upholding justice, maintaining peace, and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state,” the statement reads.

  • BBNaija star Tuoyo vows to sue NDLEA over alleged brutality

    BBNaija star Tuoyo vows to sue NDLEA over alleged brutality

    Former Big Brother Naija housemate Tuoyo Ideh has vowed to take legal action against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged brutality during a nightclub raid in Lagos.

    The NDLEA raided Proxy Nightclub in Victoria Island, Lagos, in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025.

    The operation resulted in the arrest of over 100 patrons, including popular Lagos socialite Pretty Mike and former Big Brother Naija housemate Tuoyo Ideh.

    Following his arrest, Tuoyo claimed he was beaten and humiliated by NDLEA operatives during the incident, which left him in physical pain and emotional distress.

    In an Instagram post, Tuoyo revealed that it has been three days since the incident and he is still struggling to recover.

    He thanked fans, friends, and colleagues for their support, saying it has kept him going during this difficult period.

    He wrote: “It’s been 3 days since the NDLEA incident, and I won’t lie, I’m still trying to process everything.

    “I’m still in pain and traumatized, but I want to use this medium to say a big thank you to everyone who has reached out, from my DMs to calls and messages, it has honestly kept me going.

    “Nevertheless, I have decided to take legal action against the infringement of my human right, and I hope justice will take its full course. Thank you once again.”

  • NDLEA arrests 45,853, seizes 8.5m kilograms of drugs

    NDLEA arrests 45,853, seizes 8.5m kilograms of drugs

    The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has said the agency recorded 45,853 arrests of drug traffickers and users, secured 9,263 convictions, and seized over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in the past 30 months.

    He added that 26,613 drug users were counselled and rehabilitated in the agency’s treatment facilities nationwide.

    Marwa said that the agency’s unwavering commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda has yielded remarkable results in the ongoing war against drug abuse and trafficking.

    He said said this on Wednesday, when he presented commendation letters and awards to 220 personnel for outstanding performance in the discharge of their duties while 15 senior officers were decorated with their new ranks.

    Marwa further revealed that the agency carried out 9,848 sensitisation activities under its flagship War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, reaching schools, workplaces, markets, motor parks, worship centres, and communities across Nigeria.

    “These figures are not just numbers; they reflect the growing impact of our renewed intelligence-driven operations and the collective national resolve to make Nigeria a drug-free nation,” Marwa stated.

    He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s resolve to sustain the momentum, noting that the agency’s efforts are aligned with the Tinubu administration’s drive for a more secure, productive, and healthy society.

    “The fight against drugs is a fight for the soul of our nation,” he said. “Our commitment remains total, and our results so far show that Nigeria is winning this battle, one community at a time.”

    He commended operatives of the NDLEA for raising the momentum of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country in the past two and a half years of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  • Drug parties are illegal, NDLEA warns club owners, fun seekers

    Drug parties are illegal, NDLEA warns club owners, fun seekers

    • Agency seizes 384.886kg Loud, others from facility

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned night club operators and fun seekers that organising, hosting and attending drug parties is illegal under Nigerian law.

    The agency’s warning comes on the heels of a raid carried out by its operatives at a drug party, which held last Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday at Proxy Night Club on 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Over 100 attendees were arrested along with the owner of the facility, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu alias Pretty Mike and his manager Joachin Millary.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said: “Any gathering organised for the purpose of consuming, distributing, or abusing illicit substances is an act of criminality. These ‘drug parties’ contravene the explicit provisions of the NDLEA Act and will be treated as serious narcotic offences. In the case of the drug party at Proxy night club, organisers went above board  and had the audacity to produce and circulate flyers inviting fun seekers to come together to commit crime, an act that not only constitutes an incitement to commit crime but equally an affront to the law enforcement capabilities of the country if condoned.

    “Nigeria is currently grappling with a very high prevalence rate of drug abuse, particularly among our youths. These illicit drug parties do not only fuel the drug scourge but equally serve as hubs for new recruitment into drug addiction and actively undermine our current national efforts to safeguard public health and security.

    “In the recent case, the NDLEA was meticulous and professional throughout the processes leading to the raid and during the operation. Following intelligence on the party, our undercover agents conducted surveillance on the facility, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs from within the club and for four hours between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday during the party, our operatives observed and recorded drug transactions and abuse going on before we eventually disrupted the brazen public display of illegality and made arrests.

    “All attendees initially arrested were later profiled, addressed, counselled and released within hours in custody, in line with best global practices while the two principal suspects: Pretty Mike and his manager, Joachin Millary remain in custody following the seizure of 384.882 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and other substances from the club’s store.

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    “While the agency will intensify surveillance and apply the full force of the law against perpetrators, owners of properties, hotels, and event centres found to be knowingly hosting such illegal activities risk the confiscation and forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government. Those held in custody in the ongoing case will face prosecution while we will file for forfeiture of the property, Proxy Night Club, in which the drugs were found.”

    It urged all patriotic Nigerians, parents, religious and community leaders, as well as concerned citizens to be vigilant, report such activities, and partner with the NDLEA in combating this threat to national well-being.

  • Drug parties illegal, NDLEA warns club owners, fun seekers

    Drug parties illegal, NDLEA warns club owners, fun seekers

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned night club operators and fun seekers that organising, hosting and attending drug parties is illegal under Nigerian law.

    The agency’s warning comes on the heels of a raid carried out by its operatives at a drug party, on Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday at Proxy Night Club located at 7 Akin Adesola street, Victoria Island Lagos.

    Over 100 attendees were arrested along with the owner of the facility, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu alias Pretty Mike and his manager Joachin Millary.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

    The agency said: “Any gathering organised for the purpose of consuming, distributing, or abusing illicit substances is an act of criminality. These ‘drug parties’ contravene the explicit provisions of the NDLEA Act and will be treated as serious narcotic offences. In the case of the drug party at Proxy night club, organisers went above board  and had the audacity to produce and circulate flyers inviting fun seekers to come together to commit crime, an act that not only constitutes an incitement to commit crime but equally an affront to the law enforcement capabilities of the country if condoned.

    “Nigeria is currently grappling with a very high prevalence rate of drug abuse, particularly among our youths. These illicit drug parties do not only fuel the drug scourge but equally serve as hubs for new recruitment into drug addiction and actively undermine our current national efforts to safeguard public health and security.

    “In the recent case, the NDLEA was meticulous and professional throughout the processes leading to the raid and during the operation. Following intelligence on the party, our undercover agents conducted surveillance on the facility, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs from within the club and for four hours between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday during the party, our operatives observed and recorded drug transactions and abuse going on before we eventually disrupted the brazen public display of illegality and made arrests.

    “All attendees initially arrested were later profiled, addressed, counselled and released within hours in custody, in line with best global practices while the two principal suspects: Pretty Mike and his manager, Joachin Millary remain in custody following the seizure of 384.882 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and other substances from the club’s store.

    “While the Agency will intensify surveillance and apply the full force of the law against perpetrators, owners of properties, hotels, and event centres found to be knowingly hosting such illegal activities risk the confiscation and forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government. Those held in custody in the ongoing case will face prosecution while we will file for forfeiture of the property, Proxy Night Club, in which the drugs were found.”

    It urged all patriotic Nigerians, parents, religious and community leaders, as well as concerned citizens to be vigilant, report such activities, and partner with the NDLEA in combating this threat to national well-being.

  • NDLEA maintains presence at Proxy night club after drug raid

    NDLEA maintains presence at Proxy night club after drug raid

    Days after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stormed Proxy Night Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, arresting over 100 persons during an alleged drug party, the once-bustling area now wears an unusual calm.

    A visit to the club’s location at 7, Akin Adesola Street, flanked by W-Motors Jetour, Sims Digital Centre, and Suzuki CFAO Mobility Motors, revealed NDLEA officials still stationed at the premises. The road leading to the club, which was previously lively with nightlife activities, was notably quiet.

    During the visit, security personnel at Sims Digital Centre and Suzuki CFAO Mobility Motors declined comments, saying they were unaware of the ongoing situation inside the club.

    However, a security guard at W-Motors Jetour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described their relationship with Proxy as “strictly business.”

    “We usually park our cars for display at the front of their gate. It’s a club, and different people come there. It’s difficult to know if something illegal was going on because they were just running their business like us,” he said.

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    A vulcanizer in the area, Segun, told The Nation that he was not around when NDLEA operatives raided the club but confirmed noticing increased movement around the premises before the incident.

    “There have been many young people coming and going every day,” he said.

    According to Joshua, who works within the area, said activities at the club often drew different crowds, especially on its operational days.

    “Proxy has always been like this. They open about four times a week. You will see different people coming in with drinks—sometimes wrapped up. It’s always been quiet, though,” he noted.

    Yesterday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi had earlier confirmed that the raid followed credible intelligence on a planned drug party at the club. According to him, operatives infiltrated the event around 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, and disrupted the gathering at about 3 a.m. the following day.

    He added that cartons of illicit substances, including Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) and nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), were recovered from the venue, while all arrested persons are currently being profiled and screened in custody.