See What NDLEA Tells Night Club Operators 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned night club operators and fun seekers against the growing trend of organising and attending drug parties, describing the practice as a criminal act punishable under Nigerian law.

The warning followed a weekend raid on a drug party held at Proxy Night Club, 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where operatives of the agency arrested over 100 attendees, including the club owner, Mike Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike, and his manager, Joachin Milary.

The NDLEA had said on Sunday that the operation was carried out after intelligence revealed that the organisers had circulated flyers inviting people to what they called a “drug party.”

Providing an update on the matter in a statement on Tuesday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said undercover agents had infiltrated the club, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs, and monitored activities for four hours before storming the premises between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday.

He said operatives recovered 384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and other illicit substances from the club’s store during the operation.

Babafemi noted that all attendees initially arrested were profiled, counselled, and released within hours in line with global best practices, while the club owner and his manager remain in custody.

He said, “All attendees initially arrested were later profiled, addressed, counselled, and released within hours in custody, in line with best global practices, while the two principal suspects — Pretty Mike and his manager, Joachin Millary — remain in custody following the seizure of 384.886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, and other substances from the club’s store.

“While the agency will intensify surveillance and apply the full force of the law against perpetrators, owners of properties, hotels, and event centres found to be knowingly hosting such illegal activities risk confiscation and forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government.

“Those held in custody in the ongoing case will face prosecution, while we will file for forfeiture of the property, Proxy Night Club, in which the drugs were found.”

Babafemi warned against organising drug parties, stressing that such activities are illegal.

He said, “Any gathering organised for the purpose of consuming, distributing, or abusing illicit substances is an act of criminality. These ‘drug parties’ contravene the explicit provisions of the NDLEA Act and will be treated as serious narcotic offences.

The organisers went as far as producing and circulating flyers inviting fun seekers to come together to commit crime, an act that constitutes both an incitement to commit crime and an affront to the law enforcement capabilities of the country.”

The NDLEA spokesperson added that the agency would intensify surveillance and enforce the full weight of the law against anyone involved in such criminal acts, warning that property owners who knowingly allow their facilities to be used for drug-related activities risk forfeiting them to the Federal Government.

He said, “Owners of properties, hotels, and event centres found to be knowingly hosting such illegal activities risk confiscation and forfeiture of their assets.

“Those held in custody will face prosecution, while we will also file for forfeiture of Proxy Night Club, where the drugs were found.”

The agency urged parents, religious and community leaders, and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities linked to drug abuse or trafficking.

Babafemi added, “Nigeria is currently grappling with a very high prevalence rate of drug abuse, particularly among our youths.

These illicit drug parties not only fuel the drug scourge but also serve as hubs for recruiting new users, undermining our collective efforts to safeguard public health and security.”

In recent years, the NDLEA has intensified its crackdown on the use, sale, and distribution of illicit substances across Nigeria, particularly in social and entertainment spaces.

“Lagos, being the country’s nightlife hub, has witnessed a surge in so-called “drug parties,” where attendees openly consume narcotics such as “Loud”, ecstasy, and other psychoactive substances.

These gatherings, often advertised on social media and sometimes hosted by celebrities or club promoters, have become a growing concern for law enforcement agencies.

The NDLEA has repeatedly warned that such events not only violate the nation’s drug laws but also encourage youth addiction and criminal behaviour.

The latest operation at Proxy Night Club in Victoria Island follows several similar raids in major cities, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan, where the agency uncovered drug-related activities disguised as entertainment events.