The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a stern warning to nightclub operators and party-goers over the rising trend of “drug parties,” describing the events as illegal under Nigerian law.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja, following a raid on a drug party at Proxy Night Club, 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The raid, which took place overnight from Saturday, October 25, into the early hours of Sunday, led to the arrest of over 100 attendees, including the club owner and his manager.
“These gatherings, organised for the purpose of consuming, distributing, or abusing illicit substances, constitute criminal offences under the NDLEA Act,” Babafemi said. He condemned organisers for producing and circulating flyers inviting people to commit crimes, calling the act an affront to law enforcement.
He added that drug parties not only exacerbate the country’s high youth drug abuse rate but also serve as recruitment hubs for new addicts, undermining national efforts to safeguard public health and security.
According to Babafemi, NDLEA operatives conducted careful surveillance, including undercover purchases of illicit substances, before disrupting the party. “For four hours between 11 pm on Saturday and 3 am on Sunday, our agents observed and recorded drug transactions and abuse before taking action,” he said.
While all attendees were profiled, counselled, and released within hours, the two main suspects remain in custody. Authorities also seized 384.882 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, along with other illicit drugs from the club’s premises.
Babafemi stressed that NDLEA will intensify enforcement against property owners knowingly hosting such illegal activities. “Hotels, event centres, and other facilities involved risk the confiscation and forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government,” he warned.
The agency confirmed that legal action would be taken against the suspects, and plans are underway to file for forfeiture of Proxy Night Club. Babafemi also urged Nigerians, parents, religious and community leaders, and concerned citizens to report illegal gatherings and cooperate with the NDLEA in combating drug-related threats to national well-being.