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 driven by actionable intelligence.
According to the Nigerian Army, the intelligence-led operation was carried out on July 9, 2026, following credible information about the movement of suspected illicit substances. The operation led to the successful interception of the truck and the arrest of its driver.
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 of the consignment or its intended recipient.
In accordance with standard operational procedures, the suspect and the recovered 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.
Reacting to the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
He urged the personnel to maintain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements the freedom to operate within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.
The operation underscores the continued collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the NDLEA in combating illicit drug trafficking and strengthening internal security across the country.
