Edo: NDLEA arrests 46, seizes 6,439kg drugs, secures seven convictions

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking in January 2026, arresting 46 suspected traffickers, seizing 6,439 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and securing seven convictions.

Presenting the command’s January operational scorecard in Benin City, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the achievements marked a positive start to the agency’s operations for the year.

According to him, those arrested comprised 36 males and 10 females.

He disclosed that one of the most significant seizures during the period was the interception of 66 bags of cannabis concealed inside bags of charcoal, weighing a total of 792 kilogrammes.

A suspect, Shaibu Yusuf, was arrested along the Auchi–Abuja Expressway while allegedly conveying the drugs to the northern part of the country.

Commander Ofoyeju commended the Nigerian Army, particularly the Commander of 4 Brigade, Benin, Brigadier General A. O. Balogun, for his support in the anti-drug war.

He revealed that within the month, the army handed over two suspects, Chief James Abamu, 48, and Aboy Egah, 31, along with 681 kilogrammes of cannabis and 181 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds to the NDLEA.

He added that NDLEA operatives, in a joint operation with military personnel, also carried out the destruction of a cannabis farm located at Ebora Camp, Ilushi Forest, in Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.

The NDLEA boss said the command carried out several intelligence-led raids across identified drug hotspots in the state, reaffirming its resolve to curb illicit drug trafficking.

“We will remain resolute in our mission to combat drug-related crime and ensure a healthier, drug-free environment for the citizens of Edo State,” he stated.

A breakdown of the seizures showed that the agency recovered a total of 6,439.4 kilogrammes of drugs, made up largely of cannabis.

Of this figure, 6,438.31 kilogrammes were cannabis, including 4,063.87 kilogrammes destroyed on a cannabis farm and 2,374.46 kilogrammes seized during raid operations.

Other drugs seized included 0.7957 kilogramme of psychotropic substances, 0.0264 kilogramme of methamphetamine, 0.011 kilogramme of cocaine, 0.013 kilogramme of heroin, as well as 3.5 litres of codeine-based syrup.

The eradication exercise covered a cannabis farm measuring 1.625547 hectares at Ebora Camp, Ilushi Forest, with an estimated yield of about 4,063.87 kilogrammes, dealing a significant blow to local cannabis cultivation networks.

In further efforts to disrupt drug trafficking activities, the command impounded a light green Toyota Yaris with registration number USL 123HK during routine operations at the notorious Ihama Road, GRA, Benin.

On the legal front, the command secured seven convictions in January, while seven new cases were charged to court.

According to the command, a total of 105 cases are currently pending before the Federal High Court in Benin.

Commander Ofoyeju also disclosed that the command intensified its drug demand reduction efforts, providing counselling services to 16 clients, mostly males, while seven others are presently undergoing rehabilitation at the state command headquarters.

He added that four drug abuse sensitisation programmes were conducted during the month as part of sustained efforts to reduce drug abuse in the state.