The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, said that its ongoing battle against drug trafficking in 2026 had commenced on a positive platform with the successful arrest of forty-six (46) suspected traffickers with six thousand, four hundred and thirty-nine (6,439 kilograms) of narcotic drugs and seven (7) convictions in the month of January.
Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, disclosed in Benin City while presenting the January 2026 operational scorecard. According to Commander Mitchell, those arrested included thirty-six (36) males and ten (10) females. One of the outstanding seizures within the month under review was the interception of sixty-six (66) bags of cannabis hidden inside bags of charcoal weighing 792kg. Shaibu Yusuf was arrested in connection with the bags of cannabis along the Auchi-Abuja expressway while attempting to convey the illicit drugs to the northern part of the country.
Commander Mitchell also 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. Within the month under review, General Balogun transferred two drug suspects, Chief James Abamu, 48 years old, and Aboy Egah, 31 years old, 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.
In a month marked by intelligence-led initiatives, the command executed multiple raids across known drug hotspots. These operations underscored the command’s steadfast commitment to curbing the illicit drug trade within the state. NDLEA Edo State Commander, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, reaffirmed his agency’s commitment, stating, “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.”
The NDLEA seized a staggering total of 6,439.4 kilogrammes of various drugs. This haul predominantly consisted of 6,438.31 kilogrammes of cannabis. The 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.
