The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has intensified the war against illicit drugs with a decisive raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Apapa, Lagos.
The operation targeted Gidan Drama, a notorious enclave in the Agbo Malu area, long believed to serve as a hub for drug peddling and other criminal activities.
The raid, conducted on Saturday, January 24, 2026, followed actionable intelligence received by NNS BEECROFT on the presence of suspected drug traffickers within the area.
Personnel of the naval base moved swiftly, dislodging the hideout and combing the premises in a coordinated operation aimed at disrupting criminal networks.
Although no arrests were made, the Navy recorded a significant operational gain as the suspects reportedly fled on sighting the approaching naval team.
Speaking during the handover of seized items, the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, represented by the Executive Officer, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, confirmed the recovery of various illicit substances.
Items recovered included cannabis sativa, codeine, and other banned drugs, highlighting the scale of illegal drug activities in the area.
Captain Udoessien said the seizure underscores the Navy’s unwavering resolve to curb the spread and abuse of illicit drugs, particularly among the youth, noting the grave implications for public health and national security.
He added that the operation aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to rid Nigeria’s maritime and coastal environments of crime, either independently or in synergy with sister security agencies.
Consequently, the recovered substances were formally handed over on Monday, February 2, 2026, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Festac Area Command, for further investigation and necessary action.