The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a major breakthrough in its war against drug trafficking and abuse. A total of 41,410.53 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized, and 26 suspected traffickers were arrested during a series of operations across the state in August 2025.
The state NDLEA commander, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the figures while presenting the command’s monthly progress report in Benin City. He described the seizures and arrests as a significant step in ridding the state of illegal drugs and reducing drug-related crimes.
Commander Ofoyeju explained that the 26 arrested suspects consist of 22 males and 4 females. Most of the drugs seized were cannabis, which accounted for over 99 percent of the total haul — 41,387.36kg. Other substances recovered include:
Tramadol – 22.253kg
Swinol – 0.3085kg
Danabol – 0.0117kg
Diazepam – 0.5163kg
Methamphetamine – 0.0811kg
Pentazocine – 400ml
Codeine syrup – 10 litres
He noted that these drugs were taken out of circulation through intensified raids, surveillance, and community-based intelligence gathering by NDLEA operatives.
In one of the major operations, NDLEA operatives destroyed four illegal cannabis plantations in Ebule Forest, located in Owan West Local Government Area. The farms covered a total of 15.85 hectares, with an estimated yield of 39,631.83kg of cannabis.
A key highlight was the seizure of 69 bags of skunk, a high-grade variant of cannabis, from a three-bedroom bungalow in Uzebba, Owan West LGA. A 54-year-old woman, Mrs. Fodo Stella Sunday, who hails from the area, was arrested in connection with the discovery.
“This single raid shows how far traffickers are going to hide and store dangerous drugs,” Ofoyeju said.
Mr. Ofoyeju stressed that the success of the August operations is a result of NDLEA’s proactive approach, which includes not only enforcement but also drug abuse prevention programmes across communities, schools, and institutions.
He encouraged residents of Edo State to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods. According to him, the public’s support is vital to achieving long-term results in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
“These arrests and seizures are not just statistics. They represent a step closer to a safer Edo State. We are calling on the public to work with us. If you see something, say something,” he urged.
Drug abuse and trafficking have become major national issues in Nigeria, particularly among young people. The NDLEA has in recent years scaled up its operations, resulting in large seizures of narcotics and the arrest of both local traffickers and members of international drug networks.
Edo State, due to its forested terrain and strategic location, has become a target zone for illegal cultivation and storage of cannabis. Authorities say collaboration between security agencies and communities is essential to completely dismantle these networks.
