NDLEA ARRESTS 42 SUSPECTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS, SEIZES 9.5 TONNES OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN EDO
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 9,520kg of illicit substances in September 2026.
The command also declared a suspected drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, wanted after he reportedly escaped arrest during an intelligence-led operation.
His black Toyota Matrix car was recovered, alongside 65 grammes of cannabis, N1.16 million and 55 Ethiopian birr allegedly found inside the vehicle.
The State Commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in the command’s monthly operational scorecard, which highlighted its activities in drug enforcement, rehabilitation and substance abuse education.
Ofoyeju said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations carried out in line with the directives of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.).
He said, “Out of the 42 suspects arrested, 22 are females, while 20 are males.
“One suspected notorious drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, who narrowly escaped arrest, had been declared wanted. His salesgirl, Ojugo Mercy, 26 years old, was nabbed with assorted drugs: Loud, 989 grammes; Colorado, 13 grammes; and methamphetamine, 83 grammes.
“Mudiaga reportedly fled, leaving behind his black Toyota Matrix car. Exhibits recovered from the car include 65 grammes of cannabis and N1.16 million, as well as 55 Ethiopian birr, which had been documented as an instrument of crime.”
Ofoyeju warned that the wanted suspect would be pursued, saying, “Mudiaga can run, but he certainly has no hiding place because the command has been mandated by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer to find and prosecute him accordingly.”
The commander also expressed concern over the increasing involvement of women in illicit drug trafficking in Edo State.
According to him, the command seized 9,520kg of illicit substances during the month, comprising 9,248.2575kg of cannabis plantations destroyed and 271.92348kg of other illicit drugs intercepted.
He said the recovered substances included 245.29kg of Cannabis Sativa, 25.97kg of psychotropic substances, 0.66kg of methamphetamine and 62.6 litres of codeine syrup.
Ofoyeju added that operatives identified and destroyed 10 cannabis farms covering 3.699303 hectares, with an estimated yield of 9,248.2575kg.
Beyond enforcement, the command secured three convictions, while 83 cases remained pending before various courts.
The commander further disclosed that the agency provided counselling for 28 clients and offered vocational training in tailoring, embroidery and liquid soap production as part of efforts to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
He said the command remained committed to tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse in the state, while calling for greater support from stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the development comes days after NDLEA operatives intercepted container consignments of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and codeine-based syrup worth over N5bn.
The agency said the consignments were intercepted at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne seaports following months of intelligence gathering and tracking of the shipments from their ports of origin.
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