NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust

BENIN CITY – In a fiery public display of Nigeria’s resolve to stamp out illicit substances, the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday destroyed a staggering 73,463.21 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with an estimated street value of ₦2.8 billion.

The destruction exercise, carried out under a Federal High Court order at Idogbo Bypass in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, saw mounds of illegal drugs set ablaze before a crowd of government officials, security personnel, traditional rulers, and civil society stakeholders.

Officials described the event not as a celebration, but as a sobering reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to dismantle drug trafficking networks and save countless lives from addiction-fueled crime and health crises.

Breakdown: What Was Destroyed?

The bulk of the seized narcotics was Cannabis sativa, accounting for 73,210.23 kilogrammes of the total. However, the agency also destroyed significant quantities of dangerous synthetic opioids and hard drugs. A detailed breakdown shows that Cannabis sativa (marijuana) amounted to 73,210.23 kg, while total psychotropic substances reached 246.36 kg. Within that category, Tramadol accounted for 141.81 kg, Codeine cough syrup 61.77 kg, and Diazepam 8.43 kg. Additionally, Methamphetamine weighed 2.66 kg, Cocaine 3.74 kg, and Heroin 0.22 kg. Every kilogramme destroyed, officials noted, represents potential lives saved from drug-induced psychosis, armed robbery, kidnapping, and premature death.

Governor Okpebholo: “Drug Traffickers Must Leave Edo State”

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, speaking through the First Lady and Chairperson of the Edo State Drug Control Committee, Mrs. Edesili Anani, delivered a stern ultimatum to narcotics peddlers. He declared, “Drug traffickers must leave Edo State because we are coming for them, and we will not relent until every gram of illicit substance is seized and destroyed.” Governor Okpebholo framed the war against drug abuse as inseparable from the fight against violent crime, stating that the war on drugs is a war for the soul of Nigeria, a war against criminality, kidnapping, banditry, and the devastating health consequences of substance abuse. He announced that his administration would establish a modern rehabilitation centre for individuals recovering from addiction, acknowledging that enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis.

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NDLEA Chairman Marwa: Beyond Burning Contraband

Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA, described the public destruction as a powerful symbol of national resolve. Represented by the agency’s Director of Operations and General Investigation, DCGN Suleiman Ahmed Ningi, Marwa said that what they gathered to do transcends the physical act of burning contraband. He stated that they were, in the most powerful terms, reaffirming their collective and unshakeable resolve to confront, dismantle, and ultimately defeat the menace of drug abuse. Marwa specifically thanked the Edo State Government for donating 20 plots of land for the construction of a model NDLEA State Command headquarters, a move he said would significantly boost operational efficiency.

Senate Pledges Three-Pronged Legislative Strategy

Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, praised the NDLEA’s efforts and announced a comprehensive three-pronged legislative strategy to combat substance abuse nationwide. The first prong is supply reduction, which involves stronger laws, better funding for NDLEA, and international cooperation to cut off trafficking routes. The second is demand reduction, focusing on the introduction of early health awareness on drug consequences into primary and secondary school curricula. The third is treatment and rehabilitation, treating addiction as a disease, building more rehab centres, and destigmatizing recovery. Senator Ikpea emphasized that every kilogramme of cocaine, every bag of cannabis, and every sachet of tramadol and codeine destroyed that day represented lives saved from the catastrophic effects of drugs. He acknowledged that NDLEA operatives work in dangerous, underfunded conditions and pledged to push for better welfare, modern equipment, and stronger legal backing.

Commander Ofoyeju: Drugs Hidden in Shrines, Operatives Attacked with Firearms

Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEA Edo State Commander, provided a chilling account of the command’s recent operations. He revealed that officers had intercepted illicit substances concealed in vehicles, articulated trucks, and even traditional shrines. He stated that the command had apprehended both the young and the aged, male and female, and had even recovered drugs hidden in shrines, adding that operatives had been attacked on the line of duty with firearms, but they remained undeterred in executing their mandate. Ofoyeju disclosed that during the first quarter of 2026 alone, the command seized drugs worth more than ₦1.8 billion and arrested 104 suspected drug traffickers across the state. He ended with a poignant warning to parents, saying that while families may give their children money, the best schools, good food and clothing, if they fail to protect them from drug and substance abuse, they have indeed given them nothing.

National Context: Billions in Opioids Intercepted at Ports

Thursday’s destruction in Edo is part of a wider national crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, particularly through Nigeria’s South-South region. Recent major seizures include: in April 2026, the NDLEA secured interim forfeiture orders for opioids valued at over ₦33.6 billion intercepted at Onne Port, Rivers State. In June 2025, seven watch-listed containers carrying opioids and codeine syrup worth ₦9.3 billion were seized at Onne Port. In August 2025, NAFDAC intercepted 16 containers of fake and substandard regulated products valued at approximately ₦20.5 billion, also at Onne Port. And in April 2024, the NDLEA destroyed a national cache of 304,436 kilogrammes and 40,042 litres of narcotics. These figures underscore the scale of Nigeria’s challenge as a transit hub for illegal drug trafficking between Latin America, Asia, and European markets.

What’s Next: Pre-Election Raids Intensify

With the July 11, 2026, local government election approaching, the NDLEA has announced plans to intensify raids on identified drug hotspots across Edo State. The agency stated it would conduct targeted operations before, during, and after the elections to prevent criminal elements from exploiting illicit substances to foment violence.

Conclusion

The destruction of ₦2.8 billion worth of drugs in Edo State sends an unmistakable message: Nigeria is no longer willing to serve as a transit point, warehouse, or dumping ground for narcotics. But as officials acknowledged, enforcement is only one pillar. Without rehabilitation, education, and economic opportunity, the battle against substance abuse cannot be fully won. Witnessed by security agencies, religious leaders, students, and community stakeholders, Thursday’s bonfire in Benin City may have been one of the largest in the state’s history. The NDLEA vows it will not be the last.

NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust

TikTok Cracks Down on Harmful Content in Nigeria, Removes Over 4 Million Videos

TikTok has stepped up its efforts to combat harmful and policy-violating content in Nigeria, removing more than 4 million videos and disrupting over 86,000 LIVE sessions during the fourth quarter of 2025.

The figures were disclosed in TikTok’s latest Q4 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which highlights the platform’s growing investment in content moderation, artificial intelligence-driven safety tools, and partnerships aimed at protecting users across Nigeria.

According to the report, TikTok removed 4,021,252 videos in Nigeria between October and December 2025 for violating its Community Guidelines. The company revealed that 99.9 per cent of the content was detected and removed proactively before it was reported by users, while 98.4 per cent was taken down within 24 hours of being posted.

The social media giant said the impressive enforcement rate reflects significant investments in automated moderation systems capable of identifying harmful content, misinformation, hate speech, harassment, and other violations before they spread widely across the platform.

As TikTok LIVE continues to grow in popularity among Nigerian users, the platform has intensified its scrutiny of livestream activities. The report revealed that more than 86,000 LIVE rooms in Nigeria were interrupted or removed during the quarter for breaching community standards. Globally, TikTok took enforcement actions against over 17.7 million LIVE sessions and nearly 9.3 million creators for violating monetisation and safety policies.

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TikTok explained that these enforcement measures are not solely punitive but are also designed to educate creators about platform rules and help them avoid future violations.

The Nigerian figures form part of a broader global enforcement campaign. Worldwide, TikTok removed more than 175.3 million videos during the fourth quarter of 2025. Despite the large number, the company noted that the removed content represented only about 0.5 per cent of all videos uploaded to the platform during the period.

More than 152.5 million videos were identified through automated detection technologies, while approximately 8.4 million videos were restored after further reviews and successful appeals. The figures underscore TikTok’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence and machine learning systems to identify content that violates platform policies.

With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence-generated content online, TikTok has introduced stricter safeguards to prevent the spread of misleading or deceptive material. The platform requires creators to clearly label realistic AI-generated content, including videos, images, and audio.

To enforce compliance, TikTok uses advanced detection systems, invisible watermarking technology, and C2PA Content Credentials, which help identify and track content created or modified using AI tools. According to the report, these measures have helped TikTok label more than 1.3 billion AI-generated videos globally, improving transparency for users and reducing the risks associated with manipulated content.

The company said the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to tackle misinformation, deepfakes, and deceptive media across the platform.

TikTok also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Nigerian stakeholders to improve digital safety. The platform said it continues to collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), government agencies, and civil society organisations to promote responsible online behaviour, digital literacy, and safer internet practices.

According to TikTok, the combination of advanced technology, human moderation teams, and strategic partnerships remains central to its mission of creating a safe and trusted environment for users.

The latest enforcement figures demonstrate TikTok’s increasing focus on maintaining platform integrity in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest social media markets. As concerns grow globally over misinformation, cyberbullying, hate speech, and AI-generated content, the platform says it will continue investing in stronger moderation systems and safety measures to ensure users can create, share, and engage with content responsibly.

With more than 4 million videos removed in Nigeria in just three months, the report highlights the scale of TikTok’s efforts to keep the platform safe while supporting creativity and community engagement.

TikTok Cracks Down on Harmful Content in Nigeria, Removes Over 4 Million Videos

Senate Orders Police, DSS to Track Bandits Flaunting Cash on TikTok

The Senate has directed security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to identify, track, and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly display their activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer proposed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) during deliberations on a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) on the incessant attacks by bandits and terrorists in Kogi West and other parts of the country. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and other security agencies to monitor, track, and apprehend criminals who use social media platforms to publicise their activities. “I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated.

The lawmaker said bandits and terrorists had become increasingly emboldened, using social media platforms to flaunt their operations and publicly distribute money believed to have been acquired through criminal activities. She alleged that bandits recently conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100 million within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok. “Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100m within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” she told the chamber. The senator questioned why security agencies had failed to leverage the digital footprints left by such individuals to track and apprehend them. “I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media. Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated. The additional prayer was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) and received broad support across party lines.

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Responding to the development, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the conduct of the suspects as a direct affront to state authority and a troubling display of impunity. “The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” Akpabio said. He warned that the open circulation of videos showing cash displays and criminal activities on social media platforms amounted to a deliberate attempt to ridicule government institutions and undermine public confidence in the country’s security architecture. “I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he added. The Senate President urged intelligence and security agencies to treat the matter as an urgent national security priority, calling for improved coordination and real-time response to online intelligence. “I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge. Whenever anybody finds such content, bring it to the attention of the Senate, and we shall invite the relevant federal authorities to explain why those people have not been apprehended,” he said. Akpabio also emphasised the need for accountability mechanisms to ensure the public is informed once arrests are made and prosecutions commenced. “If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

In addition to the directive on online criminals, the Senate also urged the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen cashless policy enforcement to disrupt ransom-based kidnapping financing. It further advised state governments to stop entering into negotiations or peace accords with armed groups, warning that such arrangements often collapse and embolden criminal activity. The Senate also invited the Commander of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to brief lawmakers on the growing proliferation of illegal arms across the country. The resolution forms part of renewed legislative efforts to address insecurity in Kogi State and across the country, with lawmakers calling for stronger intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enforcement operations against criminal groups. The development reflects growing concern over the increasing use of digital platforms by criminal networks to project influence, recruit followers, and showcase proceeds of crime. The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to supporting stronger cybersecurity frameworks as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. The Senate has effectively put security agencies on notice to track down criminals operating openly on social media. With the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and the Department of State Services (DSS) now formally directed to act, attention will turn to whether arrests will be made and prosecutions initiated. The Senate has also made clear that it expects feedback on any arrests, with Senate President Akpabio demanding that security agencies “report back so that Nigerians can know” that criminals are being brought to justice. As bandits and terrorists continue to exploit social media platforms for recruitment, propaganda, and public displays of illicit wealth, the Senate’s directive signals a growing legislative resolve to close the digital loopholes that criminals have been exploiting with impunity. Key takeaways from this development include: the Senate directive to track and arrest bandits flaunting cash and criminal activities on TikTok; the motion was sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West); the key proponent was Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central); the allegation that bandits distributed over ₦100 million in 30 minutes on TikTok; target agencies include the Police National Cybercrime Centre, DSS, and other security agencies; other resolutions include strengthening cashless policy, stopping state negotiations with bandits, and securing a briefing from the NCCSALW on arms proliferation; and Senate President Akpabio called the conduct “a show of impunity” and “a way of challenging the government.” This is a developing story. More details will be provided as information becomes available from security agencies and the Senate.

Senate Orders Police, DSS to Track Bandits Flaunting Cash on TikTok