The APM Terminals Apapa said it has teamed up with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria’s port corridors, particularly in Apapa and Tincan Island Ports, a move aimed at showing a strong public-private partnership.

Announcing this in a statement on Monday, the terminal operator added that the move was part of activities marking the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The global event, commemorated annually on June 26, aims to foster international cooperation in the fight against drug abuse. This year’s theme, “The Evidence Is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Cycle, underscores the urgent need to build resilient societies by addressing the root causes of drug use through education, healthcare, justice, and social development. It also calls for breaking the grip of organised crime on global drug trafficking.”

Speaking at the event in Apapa, the Commander of the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command, Buba Wakawa, described the theme as a perfect match for the objectives of the agency’s flagship campaign, War Against Drug Abuse, initiated by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd).

Wakawa revealed that the command had successfully intercepted 14 containers laden with psychotropic substances in the past year, including 744,635 bottles of codeine-based syrup and 36,652,460 tablets of tramadol, weighing a combined 132 tonnes.

“That’s almost 36 million tablets of tramadol that never made it into our streets. The implications for our society, if they had, would have been catastrophic,” he said, crediting the feat to the synergy between the NDLEA and other security agencies.”

Representing APMT at the event, a Health and Safety Executive at the terminal, Emmanuel Uko, affirmed the company’s full commitment to the anti-drug campaign.

“At APM Terminals, we stand firmly with NDLEA. We support this initiative not only as a corporate social responsibility but also because we see the real-life consequences when truck drivers and port users operate under the influence,” Uko said.

He emphasised that APMT enforces a strict zero-drug-and-alcohol policy and is keen on collaborating further with the NDLEA to strengthen port safety protocols.

“This issue goes beyond compliance; it’s about saving lives. We will continue to review our internal processes and explore new ways to support NDLEA’s efforts,” he added.

The event highlighted a united front in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, blending government enforcement with private sector advocacy and reinforcing the urgent call to “invest in prevention” to build safer communities.