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By Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has intercepted and seized 486 kilograms of suspected cannabis sativa in Lagos State, in a renewed crackdown on maritime-linked drug trafficking.
The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu disclosed this on Friday during the handover of the seized narcotics to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the naval base.
According to the commander, the seizure was made recently during a routine patrol by the NNS Beecroft team. The narcotics were intercepted around the Abule Oshun area of Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State.
He said the operation was intelligence-driven, noting that credible information led to the successful interception of the consignment, which weighed exactly 486 kilograms—nearly half a tonne.
“Every maritime crime starts from the land and often ends on land,” the commander said. “We are aware of the smuggling routes being exploited by criminal elements, some of whom attempt to use our waterways after coming in from neighbouring countries. Henceforth, that will no longer be tenable.”
He added that although the suspects fled the scene and are currently on the run, the Navy has identified them and is on their trail.
“We have an idea of where they are, and in the coming days, we hope to bring them to justice and formally hand them over,” he assured.
The commander reiterated the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, which focuses on building a mobile, agile and professional Navy capable of securing Nigeria’s maritime domain in synergy with other security agencies.
He stressed that his mission is to reposition NNS Beecroft to effectively secure the waterways in and around Lagos, and to combat crimes that originate on land, transit through the sea, and return to land.
Receiving the exhibits, Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Adejumo Gbenga, welcomed the new commander and commended the Navy for its sustained collaboration with the agency.
He described the Navy as one of the NDLEA’s biggest partners in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse in Lagos and across Nigeria.
“We believe this synergy will continue until all the perpetrators and sponsors behind drug trafficking, who are destroying the future of our nation, are brought to book,” he said.
