By Peter Omopo
September 5, 2025 | Benin City
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 26 suspects and seized a total of 41,410.53 kilogrammes of narcotics during operations across the state in August.
The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Friday in Benin City while presenting the command’s monthly report.
According to him, the arrests involved 22 men and four women, while the bulk of the seizure was cannabis sativa, accounting for 41,387.36kg. Other substances recovered included 22.25kg of Tramadol, 0.3kg of Swinol, 0.01kg of Danabol, 0.51kg of Diazepam, 0.08kg of Methamphetamine, 400ml of Pentazocine, and 10 litres of Codeine syrup.
Ofoyeju said operatives also destroyed four cannabis plantations covering 15.8 hectares in Ebule Forest, Owan West Local Government Area, yielding about 39,631kg of cannabis. In a separate operation, 69 bags of skunk were recovered from a bungalow in Uzebba, where a 54-year-old woman was arrested.
At RCC Junction, Sapele Road, Benin City, three additional suspects were apprehended during a raid on a notorious drug hub.
While no convictions were recorded in August due to the court vacation, Ofoyeju said six new cases had been filed at the Federal High Court in Benin.
Beyond enforcement, the commander highlighted the agency’s focus on drug demand reduction, noting that 13 clients received counselling services, 11 others began rehabilitation, and sensitisation campaigns were held in schools, churches, and youth groups, including Mesh Primary and Secondary School, Grace Baptist Church, POWA, and NNPC youth platforms.
“Our ongoing operations reflect our unwavering commitment to fighting the drug menace in Edo. We remain focused not only on enforcement but also on community engagement and rehabilitation,” Ofoyeju said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support the agency by reporting suspicious activities, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking and abuse “requires collective responsibility.”
