President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for what he described as a landmark operation that led to the dismantling of a Nigerian–Mexican drug syndicate and the seizure of illicit substances valued at over $360 million.
The operation, announced by NDLEA Chairman Mohammed Buba Marwa, followed weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated efforts with international partners to disrupt a sophisticated multi-million-dollar drug production network operating in Nigeria.
According to Tinubu, the operation resulted in the arrest of foreign nationals, local kingpins, and collaborators involved in the illegal drug trade, alongside the confiscation of precursor chemicals and narcotics.
“This successful operation… demonstrates exceptional professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding society from the devastating effects of narcotics,” the president said.
He praised NDLEA operatives for their bravery and urged them to sustain the momentum in tackling drug trafficking across the country.
Tinubu warned that West Africa has increasingly become a transit hub for international drug cartels moving cocaine, synthetic drugs, and unregulated pharmaceuticals to Europe and North America.
He stressed that the drug trade poses both a serious security threat and a danger to young people, many of whom are vulnerable to substance abuse and exploitation.
“The fight against illicit drugs is not NDLEA’s alone. Everyone has a role to play,” he said, urging Nigerians to report suspicious activities in their communities.
The president added that the success of the operation sends a strong message that criminal networks will not be tolerated and will face the full weight of the law.
