The Sea Empowerment & Research Centre has bemoaned the large volumes of illicit narcotics being intercepted at Nigeria’s seaports by the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Findings showed that 109,306.75 kilograms, equivalent to 109.3 tonnes of illicit drugs with an estimated street value of over N45bn, were intercepted at Nigeria’s seaports in the first half of 2026, underscoring the increasing use of the nation’s maritime gateways by international drug trafficking syndicates.
The group stressed that while these remarkable interceptions reflect improved intelligence gathering, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and growing operational efficiency, they also expose an unsettling reality.
According to the group, “Transnational organised crime syndicates are increasingly exploiting maritime trade routes and containerised cargo to traffic illicit drugs through Nigerian ports.”
SERC stated this in its special mid-year maritime security & blue economy bulletin signed by the Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, obtained by The PUNCH.
