NDLEA Auctions Seized Drug Traffickers’ Properties In Transparent Bid To Cripple Illicit Networks.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken a significant step in its fight against drug trafficking by conducting a public auction of forfeited houses linked to illicit activities. The event, held on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja, involved properties either purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking or used as bases for criminal operations, marking a bold move to dismantle the financial foundations of drug networks across Nigeria.
The auction, attended by pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives from civil society organisations, the media, and other government agencies, was praised for its transparency and adherence to legal frameworks. NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), represented by Agency Secretary Shadrack Haruna, described the exercise as a strategic effort to strip drug traffickers of both their liberty and illicit wealth. He emphasised the agency’s commitment to pursuing offenders not only through prosecution but also by targeting assets acquired through criminal proceeds, stating, “This auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice.”
Eight properties across Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun states were listed for auction, though two properties in Lekki and Ikorodu, Lagos, were withdrawn due to pending appeals. Of the remaining six, two were successfully sold for over ₦139 million, with bids exceeding their reserve prices, while others either received no offers or bids below the set threshold. The Director of Proceeds of Crime Management, Jerry Iorwa Aernan, highlighted that all participating auctioneers were vetted by the Bureau of Public Procurement to ensure integrity and prevent assets from being reclaimed by their original owners through illicit means. Successful bidders are required to pay 10% of their bid within 14 days to confirm their interest, with full payment due within a stipulated timeframe.
Umar Yakubu from the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch commended the NDLEA for conducting a credible process aligned with international best practices. He noted that the transparency displayed reflected a strong institutional culture prioritising public accountability and urged the agency to amplify such efforts as a public education tool to deter drug-related crimes. The auction’s success underscores the NDLEA’s resolve to weaken the economic incentives driving drug trafficking, sending a clear message that offenders risk losing everything.
This initiative aligns with the NDLEA’s broader campaign to promote a drug-free Nigeria, combining legal action with asset forfeiture to disrupt criminal networks. By raising over ₦139 million from the sale of just two properties, the agency has demonstrated the potential of such measures to generate revenue for public good while dismantling the financial power of drug barons. The exercise not only serves as punishment but also as a deterrent, reinforcing the consequences of engaging in illicit activities.
