The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a stern warning to nightclub operators and fun seekers over the growing culture of hosting and attending drug parties across the country.
The agency described the trend as a “disturbing and illegal fad” that undermines national efforts to curb substance abuse.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the warning followed a recent raid at a drug-themed party held at Proxy Night Club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the operation, which took place between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday, October 25–26, led to the arrest of over 100 attendees, along with the club owner and manager.
Babafemi said gatherings organised for the purpose of consuming or distributing illicit substances amount to criminal acts punishable under Nigerian law.
“These ‘drug parties’ contravene the explicit provisions of the NDLEA Act and will be treated as serious narcotic offences,” he said.
He revealed that intelligence officers had conducted surveillance ahead of the raid, including undercover drug purchases and four hours of on-site monitoring between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. before operatives moved in to disrupt the event.
From the operation, NDLEA seized 384.882 kilograms of Canadian Loud — a potent strain of cannabis — and other illicit substances from the club’s storage area.
While most of the attendees were profiled, counselled, and released, Babafemi said the club owner and manager remain in custody and will face prosecution. The agency also plans to seek forfeiture of the nightclub property to the Federal Government.
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He warned property owners, hotel managers, and event centre operators against allowing their premises to be used for such illegal gatherings, adding that offenders risk losing their assets.
“Those illicit drug parties not only worsen Nigeria’s drug abuse crisis but also serve as recruitment hubs for new addicts,” Babafemi added.
The NDLEA called on parents, community leaders, and the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the agency in support of the national fight against drug abuse.