The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army, has arrested a patent medicine vendor, a supermarket owner and three suspects with the seizure of 11,297 capsules of tramadol, among other controlled substances in Benin.
NDLEA Edo State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju, listed the drug exhibits recovered to include: 11,297 capsules of tramadol, 400 tablets of diazepam, 108 tablets of Swinol and 22 tablets of Danabol, also known as ‘Molly’.
Others are :3.685kg of cannabis, 181 grammes of Loud, 7 grammes of methamphetamine and 10 bottles of codeine cough syrup.
He gave the name of the suspected patent medicine vendor as Akam Theophilus,46, the supermarket owner is Ashitor Godfrey,25, while the others are: Asemota Endurance, 23, Franklin Kijie, 25 and Smart Ekhaitor, 39.
The Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport (NASST), Major General M. Hassan and the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade, Brigadier General A. O. Balogun, have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s mandate. This pledge of total support followed coordinated raids targeting drug hotspots in Benin City.
According to the army commanders, there is no hideout for drug traffickers,” Anyone caught around the barracks will be transferred to the NDLEA for prosecution.”
The locations raided include: a patent medicine shop near the S&T Barracks, a supermarket opposite Ekenwan Barracks and the notorious Obagie area, off Sapele Road, Benin City.
Commander Ofoyeju said that the seamless collaboration with the Nigerian Army was in line with the operational mandate by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (RTD) CON. “I have been mandated by the Chairman to take drug criminals out of the State. Drug is a catalyst of crime. Anyone hiding under the canopy of a patient medicine shop or a supermarket to peddle tramadol, Swinol, diazepam, codeine cough syrup and cannabis will not go unpunished. This is totally unacceptable, and the law must take its full course,” Mitchell insisted.
“These operations send a clear and unequivocal message to drug traffickers and dealers, especially those who operate around sensitive installations like barracks, believing it offers them a shield. There is no safe haven. The synergy between the NDLEA and the Nigerian Army is formidable, and we will continue to dismantle drug networks across Edo State as directed by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. General Buba Marwa “, Mitchell stated.
He further warned that targeting youths with illicit substances is an attack on the future of the nation, and such actions will be met with the full force of the law. The NDLEA has a responsibility under the law to arrest criminal elements that are destroying our society through illicit drug trafficking, thereby creating a safer and healthier environment for all citizens.
The commander also urged the public to continue providing useful information to the NDLEA, assuring them of confidentiality. Meanwhile, all suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing for immediate prosecution.
