NDLEA ARRESTS 75 SUSPECTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS, SEIZES 2,496KG OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN EDO

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has arrested 75 suspected drug traffickers and seized 2,496.11791kg of illicit substances in October 2026.

The command also identified and destroyed eight cannabis farms covering 5.728819 hectares, with an estimated yield of 14,322.0475kg.

The Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the figures in a statement on Monday, describing the visit of the NDLEA Chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa, as a major boost to the command’s anti-drug operations.

Ofoyeju said the October arrests comprised 54 males and 21 females, while the seizures included 2,492.6973kg of cannabis, 3.2169kg of psychotropic substances and 0.20371kg of methamphetamine.

Other items recovered included 35 cylinders of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, six cups of brownies and 4.1 litres of codeine syrup.

“The Chairman’s visit is a moral booster to us, and I am glad to do more,” he said.

Ofoyeju identified the impoundment of a black Toyota Camry conveying 1,049 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 702.83kg at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, as one of the major seizures recorded during the month.

He said three suspected traffickers, two males and a female, were arrested in connection with the seizure. They were identified as Monday Orji, 52; Monday Lawal, 40; and Precious Uduegele, 20.

The cannabis farms destroyed were located in Uzebba Forest and Ukhuise-Osi Community in Owan West Local Government Area; Ugbada Forest, also in Owan West; Ugboshi Ele Forest in Akoko Edo; and Eco Camp, Illushi, in Esan South-East Local Government Area.

On prosecution, Ofoyeju said the command secured six convictions and filed 14 cases in court, while 103 cases remained pending.

He added that the Counselling, Treatment and Rehabilitation, as well as Prevention and Sensitisation units, counselled 47 clients comprising 33 males and 14 females.

According to him, those who received counselling were released to their families, while 12 others were undergoing rehabilitation and vocational training in tailoring, embroidery, perfume-making and liquid soap production.

The command also conducted 10 sensitisation programmes across six schools, places of worship, markets and public spaces in Benin City, reaching 5,293 participants, including 2,324 males and 2,969 females.

Ofoyeju reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling illicit drug activities in Edo State, describing a drug-abuse-free society as priceless.