Nigeria: NDLEA Warns Parents Over Drug-Infused Cookies, Gummies

What the report says

Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has urged parents to pay closer attention to imported snacks consumed by children, warning that some cookies and gummies on the market may contain illegal drugs. The alert was issued in a statement attributed to NDLEA media and advocacy director Femi Babafemi and was reported by Leadership on Sunday, 9 August 2026.

According to the report, the warning followed recent seizures that showed smugglers were trying to bring prohibited substances into the country disguised as ordinary sweets and baked goods. The agency said the products were packaged to look like colourful vegan treats, raising concerns that children or young people could eat them without realizing they contain narcotics.

The main enforcement action cited in the report involved the Nigeria Customs Service at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, where officers intercepted two 40-foot containers arriving from the United States. Inside were thousands of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies, which the report said had an estimated street value of ₦373.8 million. The shipment was hidden among lawful goods including vehicles, generators and fabrics.

The seized items have been transferred to the NDLEA for further investigation. The development highlights the continued challenge of drug trafficking through concealed consumer goods and the need for vigilance around imported packaged foods.