Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 46 suspected traffickers with 6,439 kilograms of narcotic drugs.
DAILY POST reports that the Command also said it secured the conviction of seven suspects in the month of January.
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this in Benin City while presenting the January 2026 operational scorecard of the Command.
Ofoyeju said those arrested included 36 males and 10 females.
He added that the achievements were indications that the Command started on a positive note in its ongoing battle against drug trafficking in 2026.
He said one of the outstanding seizures within the month under review was the interception of 66 bags of cannabis hidden inside bags of charcoal weighing 792kg.
He said one Shaibu Yusuf was arrested in connection with the bags along the Auchi-Abuja expressway while attempting to convey the illicit drugs to the northern part of the country.
The Edo State NDLEA boss, however, commended the Commander of the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade Benin City, Brigadier General A. O. Balogun, for his priceless support in the fight against illicit drugs in the State.
He explained that within the month under review, the 4 Brigade Commander transferred two drug suspects namely Chief James Abamu and Aboy Egah with 681kg of cannabis and 181kg of cannabis seeds to the NDLEA.
“In addition, the military personnel in a joint operation with the NDLEA agents conducted a cannabis farm destruction in Ebora Camp, Ilushi forest in the Esan South East LGA of Edo State”, he said.
Ofoyeju posited that in a month marked by intelligence-led initiatives, the command executed multiple raids across known drug hotspots.
He noted that the operations underscored the command’s steadfast commitment to curbing the illicit drug trade within the state.
While reaffirming the agency’s commitment to the fight against illicit drugs and trafficking in the state, he added that the Command remained resolute in its mission to combat drug-related crime and ensure a healthier, drug-free environment for the citizens of the State.
He gave statistics of the operations and seizure of the Command within the period under review including a total of 6,439.4 kilogrammes of various drugs.
He added that the seizure predominantly consisted of 6,438.31 kilogrammes of cannabis.
“Cannabis includes 4,063.87 kilogrammes, which were destroyed in a cannabis farm, while 2,374.46 kg were seized during raid operations.
“Other seizures are 0.7957 kg of psychotropic substance, 0.0264 kg of methamphetamine, 0.011kg of cocaine, 0.013kg of heroin and 3.5 litres of codeine-based syrup.
“The eradication of cannabis cultivation also featured prominently in the month’s activities, with the destruction of a cannabis farm spanning 1.625547 hectares in Ebora Camp, Ilushi Forest.
“This farm was estimated to yield approximately 4,063.87 kg of cannabis, representing a significant blow to local cannabis cultivation cartels.
“The NDLEA further facilitated public safety by impounding a light green Toyota Yaris (Reg. No. USL 123HK) during routine operations at the notorious Ihama Road GRA, Benin City, emphasising the dedication to disrupt trafficking locations.
“On the judicial front, the command secured seven convictions in January, with seven additional cases charged, while one hundred and five pending cases are currently before the Federal High Court in Benin City.
“Determined to address the underlying issues of drug abuse, the command provided counselling services to sixteen clients, comprised predominantly of males, while an additional seven clients are undergoing rehabilitation at the State Command headquarters.
“Anti-drug abuse outreach efforts also continued, with four sensitisation programmes conducted during the month”, he added.
