In a significant New Year setback for international drug trafficking syndicates, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, working jointly with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have seized 30 slabs of substances confirmed to be cocaine aboard the MV Aruna, a vessel flying the flag of the Marshall Islands.
The interception was carried out on Friday at the Greenview Terminal, located within the Apapa Port complex in Lagos, Nigeria’s busiest seaport.
According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Port Command, Isah Sulaiman, the prohibited substance was ingeniously concealed within the vessel, highlighting the increasingly complex and well-coordinated strategies adopted by drug traffickers seeking to bypass security checks at major ports.
The statement noted that the concealment method reflected a high level of planning and sophistication, reinforcing concerns over the persistent attempts by criminal networks to exploit Nigeria’s maritime corridors for illicit trade.
Commending the officers involved for their vigilance and successful operation at the start of the new year, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, described the seizure as a strong signal for 2026. He said the operation reaffirmed the command’s unwavering zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and other illegal activities, in strict compliance with laid-down operational standards.
Oshoba added that the collaboration between Customs and the NDLEA demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in combating transnational crimes and safeguarding the country’s borders.
Following the interception, the NDLEA took custody of the seized cocaine to enable further forensic analysis, investigation, and the prosecution of all individuals linked to the illegal shipment.
Officials confirmed that this operation represents the third major drug seizure recorded by the joint NCS–NDLEA task team in recent weeks, underscoring heightened enforcement efforts and sustained surveillance at Nigerian ports.
What you should know
The seizure of 30 slabs of cocaine at Apapa Port highlights Nigeria’s renewed enforcement push against international drug trafficking in 2026.
The operation shows how traffickers are using increasingly sophisticated concealment methods on foreign vessels, prompting tighter port security and inter-agency collaboration.
With the NDLEA now handling investigations and possible prosecutions, the bust reinforces the government’s commitment to disrupting drug supply chains, protecting national security, and preventing Nigeria’s ports from being used as transit hubs for hard drugs.
