The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced the public auction of eight forfeited properties linked to drug-related offences across four Nigerian states, recording over N139 million in revenue from just two of the sales concluded so far. This is part of the agency’s broader drive to dispose of assets seized from convicted drug traffickers, in accordance with court orders and federal asset management guidelines.
According to officials of the NDLEA, the properties put up for auction are spread across Lagos, Delta, Edo, and Abuja, and were confiscated following successful prosecutions under the NDLEA Act. The auctions, which are being carried out under the watchful eye of relevant anti-corruption and judicial authorities, are designed to recover value from illicit proceeds and reinvest such funds into national drug control efforts.
Chairman of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and due process in all asset recovery and disposal operations. He noted that the agency is not only focused on seizing drugs and arresting traffickers but also determined to dismantle the financial empires built on the back of narcotics crime.
From the two completed property sales alone, the NDLEA has already realised over N139 million, with further auctions expected in the coming weeks. Officials say the funds generated will be channelled into strengthening the agency’s operational capabilities and supporting ongoing rehabilitation programs for drug users.
The auction process, according to NDLEA sources, involves public bidding and strict verification to prevent assets from falling back into the hands of criminal networks. Legal observers commend the effort as a strategic step toward depriving drug lords of their ill-gotten wealth and sending a clear message that drug trafficking comes with lasting consequences beyond arrest and prosecution.
As Nigeria continues to battle the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking, the NDLEA’s asset disposal initiative marks another layer of deterrence and financial disruption in its war against narcotics. The agency has assured the public that more forfeited assets will be auctioned in a transparent and open manner, in line with existing laws and presidential directives on asset recovery and accountability.
