Security agencies have ramped up their operations this week. This surge is part of a broader strategy to address the intersection of drug abuse, cultism, and political thuggery as the country prepares for upcoming electoral cycles.
​The Nigeria Police Force has officially “stepped up” preventive operations specifically targeting youth involvement in cultism. In states like Lagos, Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani has ordered daily patrols and enforcement in identified hotspots to curb street violence.
There is a heightened focus on preventing the recruitment of youths for political thuggery. Security officials have issued stern warnings to politicians against using young people for electoral violence as activities for the 2027 cycle begin to pick up.
The police are currently engaging traditional and youth leaders, emphasizing that “every person is a police officer” in the effort to identify cultists within their neighborhoods.
​The NDLEA has simultaneously intensified its raids, recognizing that the narcotics trade often fuels the energy behind cult-related and political violence.
Just yesterday (April 29, 2026), the NDLEA announced the dismantling of three major drug warehouses in the Okota area of Lagos, recovering opioids (Tramadol and Codeine) valued at N16.9 billion.
Chairman Buba Marwa noted that these high-potency substances are “lethal” and often distributed to youth groups, contributing to the rise in social vices and violent crimes.
​To ensure these operations are more than just temporary “bursts,” several agencies have signed new agreements this week. On April 27, the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA formed a joint committee to improve “post-seizure accountability,” ensuring that drugs intercepted at borders are tracked all the way to prosecution and destruction.
These operations also coincide with the security tail-end of the Easter period and activities marking National Police Week, providing a convenient window for large-scale deployments.
