Nigerian Navy seizes vehicle with 840kg of illegal drugs in Lagos

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft (NNS Beecroft) has intercepted a van loaded with 20 bags of suspected cannabis weighing about 840kg in the Ijegun area of Lagos State.

Executive Officer of NNS Beecroft, Captain Idongesit Udoesien, who represented the Commander, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, disclosed this during a briefing yesterday.

He said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and enhance maritime security in Lagos and its coastal communities.

According to him, the Base Quick Response Team, supported by internal security personnel of Operation MESA, acted on credible intelligence in the early hours of Thursday, October 2, 2025, to intercept a van with a foreign registration number around Ijegun.

He explained that the vehicle was found to be carrying 20 bags of suspected cannabis weighing about 840kg.

“Pertinently, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting our patrol team. Accordingly, the vehicle and the cannabis sativa have been handed over to the Marine Commander, Morrison Emmanuel Udo of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos, for further necessary action,” he said.

“This successful interception is part of the broader series of sustained efforts by the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to clamp down on illegal maritime activities, particularly the trafficking of narcotics and other contrabands through Nigeria’s coastal waters.

“The Nigerian Navy remains actively engaged in supporting internal security operations and collaborating with sister agencies to protect lives, properties and the nation’s maritime domain.

“The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft will continue to intensify surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven missions aimed at denying criminals freedom to operate within Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks for socio-economic activities to thrive.

“We commend the vigilance and professionalism of our personnel and urge citizens to support our efforts by providing timely and credible information to enhance security across Lagos State,” he added.