The Nigeria Customs Service says it has seized cannabis valued at ₦18.9 billion at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, marking one of the largest drug interceptions at the facility in recent years.

Officials said the shipment, which originated from Canada, was concealed inside a container falsely declared as used vehicles.

How the drugs were discovered

At a press briefing on 30 April 2026, the Tin Can Island Port Area Controller, Frank Okechukwu Onyeka, said intelligence-led operations triggered a full inspection of the container.

“Following credible intelligence and sustained inter-agency cooperation… the container… was discovered to contain 185 jumbo bags of Cannabis Indica,” he said.

The drugs, hidden alongside two vehicles, a 2010 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado were found to contain:

9,458 packages of cannabis

Total weight: 4,729kg

Estimated street value: ₦18.916 billion

Why it matters

The seizure highlights Nigeria’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking through its ports, a key entry route for illicit substances.

Authorities say such operations protect public health, reduce crime, and safeguard the economy from illegal trade networks.

It also underscores increasing attempts by traffickers to exploit global shipping routes and misdeclare cargo.

Growing pattern of seizures

The Tin Can Command has recorded a series of major drug interceptions:

March 2025: ₦8.05bn worth of illicit drugs seized

October 2025: Cannabis and methamphetamine worth ₦5.3bn intercepted

January 2026: Cannabis worth ₦4.7

February 2026: Expired pharmaceuticals intercepted

These figures point to a sustained enforcement push at one of Nigeria’s busiest ports.

Inter-agency collaboration

The operation was carried out in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Customs officials say a new agreement signed on 27 April 2026 between NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa and Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is already delivering results.

The agreement includes:

Intelligence sharing

Joint operations

Coordinated enforcement strategies

“This framework is yielding tangible results,” Mr Onyeka said.

Official handover and warnings

The seized drugs were handed over to NDLEA’s Tin Can commander, Solomon Gbadebo Omotosho.

Mr Onyeka warned smugglers:

“We are fully prepared and determined to detect, intercept, and prosecute all forms of illegal activities.”

He added that Customs would continue deploying intelligence-driven strategies to combat smuggling.

NDLEA reaction

Receiving the drugs, Mr Omotosho attributed the success to strong leadership and cooperation between agencies.

He also pointed to international factors:

“Some of these illicit drugs come from countries with more liberal drug laws… higher than what Nigeria permits.”

What’s next

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, although no arrests have been made in the latest case.

Customs officials note that suspects often flee once they suspect surveillance, making prosecutions more challenging.

The Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger inter-agency cooperation following a high-level meeting in Oyo State.

Officials from both agencies said the renewed partnership would improve road safety, strengthen border security, and enhance coordinated operations.

The meeting took place on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, when the FRSC Oyo Sector Command paid a courtesy visit to the Customs’ Oyo/Osun Area Command headquarters.

Leaders emphasise shared security goals

Leading the FRSC delegation, Corps Commander Kehinde Sunday Dahunsi described the engagement as a sign of “an enduring and productive relationship” between the two agencies.

He praised the Customs Service for its role in protecting Nigeria’s borders and regulating trade.

“The Nigeria Customs Service plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s borders against the influx of prohibited items that could pose risks to public health and safety, while also facilitating legitimate trade,” Dahunsi said.

He added that the FRSC would continue to support Customs through closer operational coordination and joint capacity-building initiatives.

Customs highlights importance of road safety

Responding, Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, welcomed the FRSC team and acknowledged their role in reducing road accidents nationwide.

“We recognise the critical role of the FRSC in ensuring road safety and protecting lives on our roads,” Adewole said.

He stressed that sustained cooperation between both agencies remains essential to achieving national security and public safety objectives.

Why it matters

Security experts say stronger collaboration between enforcement agencies is key to tackling Nigeria’s complex safety challenges.

Joint operations between Customs and FRSC can help:

Track and intercept smuggled goods transported via highways

Improve intelligence sharing across agencies

Reduce road accidents involving heavy-duty or smuggling vehicles

For residents and businesses, this could translate into safer roads and more efficient trade routes.

Industry and public perspective

Transport analysts note that inter-agency rivalry has historically slowed response times in Nigeria’s enforcement system.

Closer cooperation, they argue, could reduce duplication of duties and improve emergency response on major highways connecting Oyo and neighbouring states.

Public safety advocates also say aligning border control with road enforcement can help address issues such as illegal cargo movement and unsafe transportation practices.

What’s next

Both agencies say they will focus on:

Joint training programmes

Intelligence-sharing frameworks

Coordinated field operations

Observers will be watching closely to see whether the renewed partnership delivers measurable improvements in road safety and border enforcement.

The Nigeria Police Force says it has rescued 14 people abducted by sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterways, in a joint operation with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Authorities said the victims were freed after “sustained intelligence-driven operations” and coordinated surveillance across known maritime crime hotspots.

The victims are now undergoing medical checks and debriefing before being reunited with their families.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, praised the operation, describing it as a reflection of “effective inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-led policing.”

“A testament to effective inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-led operations.” — Police Chief

Railway Vandalism Syndicate Busted

In a separate operation, the police said they arrested two suspects linked to large-scale railway vandalism and recovered materials worth more than ₦400m.

The arrests were carried out by the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

Police identified the suspects as Chisom Goodnews, 32, and Ahmed Adamu, 22.

Authorities said they intercepted a truck transporting about 60 tonnes of vandalised railway tracks and sleepers, hidden under sacks of groundnut shells.

Investigators believe the materials were being moved from Bauchi State to Ilorin, Kwara State, pointing to an organised criminal supply chain.

Operatives Reject ₦100m Bribe

Police said officers involved in the operation rejected a ₦100m bribe allegedly offered to secure the release of the suspects and the seized items.

The Inspector-General commended the officers for their conduct.

“Such acts exemplify the core values of the Force.” — Police Chief

Why It Matters

Maritime piracy and infrastructure vandalism remain major security and economic challenges in Nigeria.

Attacks on waterways affect trade and livelihoods in coastal communities, while railway vandalism disrupts transport systems and costs the government billions in repairs.

Security analysts say coordinated enforcement efforts like this could help restore confidence in public safety and infrastructure.

Industry and Public Reactions

Security experts have welcomed the development, noting that joint operations between agencies are critical in tackling organised crime.

Transport stakeholders also praised the crackdown on railway vandalism, warning that such crimes threaten Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.

What Happens Next

Police say investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, including buyers of stolen railway materials.

Authorities also pledged to intensify patrols and surveillance in both maritime and inland transport corridors.