Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road in a major operation aimed at combating drug trafficking and related crimes.
The intelligence-led operation, carried out on July 9, 2026, followed credible information received by the troops, leading to the successful interception of the truck and the arrest of its driver.
According to the Nigerian Army, preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit drugs were being transported to the Berger area of Lagos State. However, the suspect was unable to provide satisfactory information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the consignment.
The Army said the suspect and the recovered illicit drugs were handed over to the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The handover was conducted by the Commanding Officer of the 65 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, in line with established operational procedures.
Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, praised their vigilance, professionalism and operational efficiency.
He urged the personnel to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of movement within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.
The interception underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued collaboration with relevant security and law enforcement agencies to curb illicit drug trafficking and strengthen internal security across the country.
Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
