The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday carried out a public auction of properties forfeited by convicted drug traffickers, marking another milestone in the agency’s ongoing efforts to cripple illicit drug networks in Nigeria.
The auction, held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja, involved eight properties located in Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun states.
The exercise was conducted in the presence of pre-qualified auctioneers, civil society organizations, the media, and representatives of other government agencies.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), represented by the Agency Secretary, Shadrack Haruna, said the event was part of NDLEA’s strategy to dismantle drug trafficking operations by depriving offenders of both freedom and ill-gotten wealth.
“This auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice. Beyond prosecuting drug offenders, we are committed to ensuring that the financial incentives that drive these crimes are neutralized through legal forfeiture,” Haruna said. “When drug traffickers know they stand to lose everything, it sends a stronger message than imprisonment alone.”
Of the eight properties slated for auction, two located in Lekki and Ikorodu, Lagos were stepped down due to appeals filed after the process commenced. The remaining six were auctioned, with two successfully sold above their reserve prices, earning the agency over ₦139 million. The other four either failed to attract bidders or received offers below the benchmark value.
Director of Proceeds of Crime Management, Jerry Iorwa Aernan, explained that all auctioneers were vetted and pre-qualified by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), with rigorous checks to prevent forfeited assets from reverting to their original owners.
He added that winning bidders are required to pay 10 percent of their bid within 14 days, with full payment expected within a specified timeframe.
Umar Yakubu, of the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch, praised the NDLEA for conducting what he described as a credible and transparent process.
“The level of openness we witnessed here is commendable. It reflects a strong institutional culture of accountability and sets a standard for public asset disposal,” he said.