Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has uncovered a chemical that can be used to produce fentanyl during the dismantling of a large-scale methamphetamine laboratory hidden in a forest in Ogun State.
The discovery was made after NDLEA operatives raided the illegal laboratory located around Abidagba and Iroto communities in Ijebu East Local Government Area in May 2026.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians. The agency also seized about 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals estimated to be worth more than ₦480 billion.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said the fentanyl-related chemical was identified through forensic analysis of substances recovered from the laboratory.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving the US Country Director of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau, Derek Tolliver, Marwa said the discovery highlighted the importance of modern forensic equipment provided to the agency with US support.
“With the seizure about two months ago and dismantlement of the meth lab in the deep forest of Ogun State, we relied on the forensic equipment to determine the precursor chemicals.
“And we discovered one of the precursor chemicals was in fact for the production of fentanyl, which is bad news. Nobody wants to hear that word,” Marwa said.
He explained that the substance linked to fentanyl production represented only a small portion of the chemicals recovered from the laboratory, making its detection particularly significant.
“It was just a small part of the precursor chemicals. Without these modern tools, that would have gone unnoticed,” he said.
Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid associated with a major overdose crisis in several countries, particularly the United States. Chemicals used in its production are subject to strict international monitoring because they can be used to manufacture the powerful drug.
Marwa said NDLEA’s forensic laboratories had become increasingly important in identifying illicit drugs and precursor chemicals recovered during investigations.
He credited the United States government, particularly the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau, INL, for supporting the modernisation of the agency’s Lagos forensic laboratory and the establishment of additional facilities in Abuja and Enugu.
The NDLEA chief also acknowledged support from other US agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, AFRICOM and the FBI, saying the cooperation had strengthened the agency’s drug enforcement capabilities.
Tolliver congratulated the NDLEA on its recent operational achievements and said his visit was aimed at strengthening existing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States on counter-narcotics programmes.
“Lastly, I want to say big congratulations on all the successes over the past months with your leadership and under your leadership. It is phenomenal how much this organisation has grown,” Tolliver said.
He assured the agency that the US Government would continue supporting the partnership and working with the NDLEA to advance their joint programmes.
