400kg cannabis sized at Lekki Port as Kukoyi assumes duty, vows zero tolerance

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi, has vowed zero tolerance for smuggling and drug trafficking after his command intercepted 400 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis valued at ₦2.26 billion at Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The seizure, made on August 19, 2026, following credible intelligence, involved 400 packages of suspected cannabis concealed among 798 reams of A4 printing paper in a container scheduled for onward transportation to a bonded terminal outside the command.

Kukoyi disclosed this on Thursday, October 15, during the formal handover of the seized container and its contents to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

The interception marks a major enforcement development shortly after Kukoyi assumed leadership of the command following the retirement of his predecessor, Controller H.K.A. Abubakar.

According to Kukoyi, the container, bearing registration number PRSU1562064, arrived at Lekki Deep Sea Port and was scheduled for onward movement by barge under the Customs transire procedure.

He said officers, acting on credible intelligence and in line with the command’s risk-management strategy, held the container for further scrutiny because of potential security implications.

A non-intrusive scan subsequently revealed anomalies, prompting a comprehensive physical examination at Lekki Freeport Terminal.

The joint examination involved officers of the NCS, NDLEA, Department of State Services (DSS) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The exercise led to the discovery of 400 packages of suspected cannabis weighing 400kg, concealed among the printing paper.

Kukoyi put the estimated duty-paid value of the seized substance at ₦2,262,960,000, adding that Customs headquarters approved its formal handover to the NDLEA after receiving a report on the interception and examination.

Describing the operation as a significant intervention against drug trafficking and threats to public health, the controller said intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency cooperation would remain central to securing the command’s operational territory.

He commended the officers involved in the operation and acknowledged the support of the NDLEA Lekki Port Command, DSS, NAFDAC and the management of Lekki Freeport Terminal.

Kukoyi also credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for promoting collaboration, innovation and operational efficiency within the Service.

Reaffirming his enforcement priorities, Kukoyi warned smugglers and criminal networks against exploiting ports, free trade zones and transit corridors to move prohibited goods.

“Our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade must never be misconstrued as tolerance for illegality,” he said, stressing that the command would maintain zero tolerance for smuggling, drug trafficking and economic sabotage.

He assured legitimate businesses and investors of the command’s commitment to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The controller also urged port operators, shipping companies, clearing agents, importers and members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen efforts against criminal activities.

In his remarks, Commander Jonah Achema, Commander of Narcotics and Area Commander of the NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, commended Customs for the interception, describing it as further evidence of the importance of sustained inter-agency cooperation in combating maritime drug trafficking.

Achema congratulated Kukoyi on his appointment and expressed confidence that closer collaboration between the two agencies would strengthen efforts to prevent criminal networks from exploiting port facilities.

According to him, the seized substance was identified as cannabis indica and reportedly originated from Thailand.

He said the latest interception followed other major drug seizures at Lekki Port, including two containers of illicit pharmaceutical opioids identified as tramadol 225 and Tramaking Royal 250, weighing a combined 46 tonnes and carrying an estimated street value of ₦35 billion.

Achema attributed the agency’s enforcement drive to the operational priorities of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), CFR, OON, whose strategy focuses on disrupting, dismantling and defeating drug trafficking networks.

He added that the latest operation followed the NDLEA chairman’s visit to Lekki Port, highlighting the need for sustained intelligence gathering and effective coordination among security agencies.

The NDLEA commander said the container was flagged for comprehensive examination following credible intelligence, preventing the suspected illicit substance from proceeding along its intended route.

He assured Customs and other sister agencies that the NDLEA would sustain its cooperation with them to strengthen port security and prevent the movement of illicit drugs through maritime facilities.

The formal handover, he said, would further reinforce the existing partnership between Customs and the NDLEA in the fight against drug trafficking.

The suspected cannabis has been transferred to the NDLEA for further investigation and appropriate action.