The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it arrested 75 suspected drug traffickers and seized more than 2,400 kilogrammes of illicit substances in Edo State in October 2026.
The agency also destroyed eight cannabis farms covering approximately 5.7 hectares, with an estimated yield of over 14,300 kilogrammes of cannabis.
The Edo State Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the arrests comprised 54 males and 21 females.
He said the seizures included 2,492.69 kilogrammes of cannabis, 3.21 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances, 0.2 kilogramme of methamphetamine, 35 cylinders of nitrous oxide, six cups of cannabis brownies and 4.1 litres of codeine syrup.
According to Ofoyeju, one of the major operations during the period led to the interception of a black Toyota Camry conveying 1,049 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 702.83 kilogrammes in Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area.
He said three suspects, identified as Monday Orji, 52; Monday Lawal, 40; and Precious Uduegele, 20, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The commander listed the destroyed cannabis farms as being located in Uzebba Forest, Ukhuise-Osi Community and Ugbada Forest in Owan West Local Government Area, Ugboshi Ele Forest in Akoko Edo and Eco Camp in Illushi, Esan South-East Local Government Area.
On the prosecution of drug-related offences, Ofoyeju said the command secured six convictions and filed 14 cases in court, while 103 cases remained pending.
He added that the agency’s counselling and rehabilitation units attended to 47 drug users, comprising 33 males and 14 females, who received counselling before being reunited with their families.
Ofoyeju disclosed that 12 other clients were undergoing rehabilitation and vocational training in skills such as tailoring, embroidery, perfume production and liquid soap-making.
He further said the command organised 10 drug-awareness programmes across six schools, religious centres, markets and public spaces in Benin City, reaching 5,293 people.
Describing the recent visit of the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), as a morale booster, Ofoyeju said it had strengthened the command’s resolve to intensify its operations.
“The Chairman’s visit is a moral booster to us, and I am glad to do more,” he said.
The commander reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse in Edo State, stressing that building a society free from drug abuse remained a priority.
