The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has called for deeper collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies to dismantle illicit drug networks and cut off criminal groups from resources used to fuel violent activities.
Adeniyi made the call on Monday, August 17, 2026, in Lagos, while speaking at the public destruction of 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances valued at ₦301 billion by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Customs CG described the volume of narcotics destroyed as significant, noting that it underscored the scale of enforcement operations being carried out across Nigeria’s seaports, airports and land borders.
He stressed that tackling drug trafficking requires a coordinated approach involving all relevant agencies, including the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and the Judiciary.
“All agencies that are involved; NDLEA, Nigeria Customs, Navy, Army, Police and all other agencies of government, including the Judiciary, must continue to work together with one common goal of denying those non-state actors access to this kind of material that they need to perpetrate their evil acts.”
Adeniyi also highlighted the growing cooperation between the NCS and NDLEA, particularly following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on intelligence and information sharing, joint operations and investigations.
According to him, the partnership is already producing positive results and would strengthen efforts to identify, prosecute and convict those involved in the illicit drug trade.
He said: “I am happy to know that this is beginning to yield positive results. I’m happy that through efforts like this, we will carry out very diligent investigations, we will throw perpetrators in jail, and we will all assemble in places like this to effect the destruction and ensure that these do not end up in the wrong hands.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the destruction exercise as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s determination to protect Nigerians and safeguard the nation’s future.
Marwa said the exercise was more than the enforcement of drug laws, describing it as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture and protect the country’s sovereignty.
He commended sister security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Customs Service, for their continued support and collaboration in the fight against illicit drugs.
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