The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully destroyed two large cannabis farms and apprehended 39 suspected drug traffickers. Several raid operations also resulted in the seizure of 1,303.8858 kilograms of illicit drugs in May 2025. Presenting his first monthly operational scorecard, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, announced the developments in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
He gave the number of suspected drug traffickers arrested to include 18 males and 21 females. The two cannabis farms destroyed, measuring 0.782961 hectares, were discovered in the Uzebba and Ohosu forests, spread across Owan West and Ovia South East Local Government Areas, respectively. The first cannabis farm operation measuring 0.265874 hectares of cannabis was destroyed in the Uzebba forest, followed by 0.517087 hectares in Ohosu.
The breakdown of the seized drugs was given by Commander Mitchell as follows: cannabis sativa, 1,133.337 kilograms; psychotropic substances, 118.4986 kilograms; methamphetamines, 0.14103 kilograms; cocaine, 0.0024 kilograms; codeine cough syrup, 65.7 litres; and pentazocine, 2,000 millilitres.
The highlight of the seizures was the interception of seventy-four and a half bags of cannabis sativa at Oke community, Ohunwude Local Government Area, weighing 1,115kg, based on an intelligence report.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure. They are Isaac Israel, a 33-year-old male, who hails from Abak LGA, Akwa Ibom State, and Precious Zion, a 19-year-old female, who hails from Ogba LGA, Rivers State.
In a related development, an eighteen-year-old Nigerien by name, Mohammed Isah, male, was apprehended during a raid operation at Oluku area of Benin City. He was found to be in unlawful possession of methamphetamine weighing 4 grams, cannabis sativa weighing 54 grams, tramadol 100mg weighing 6 grams and Exol-5, with a weight of 28 grams.
Commander Mitchell emphasised the direct link between drug trafficking and violent crimes. According to him, “Drug control is germane to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state. The Edo State Command of the Agency will work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all.”
Stressing that the negative impact of drug trafficking on local economies, investment opportunities, and the escalating costs to law enforcement and healthcare systems will be drastically minimised through the adoption of proactive drug control strategies.
“I have the mandate of the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (RTD), CON, to trace and dismantle cannabis cultivating syndicates. Extend the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign to young adults and adolescents in schools, churches, and mosques. Above all, we are to engage in targeted prevention and education campaigns to mitigate drug and substance use. We are launching a robust public awareness initiative to educate the community members about the perils of drug abuse and the importance of seeking early help.”
The commander called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse, advocating for proactive strategies and better resource allocation to address the drug problem.
As the NDLEA continues to combat drug trafficking in Edo State, this latest operational scorecard highlights both the challenges and the resolve of law enforcement in the fight against illicit substances in Edo State. The community’s involvement and cooperation will be vital in winning the fight against drugs in our society. The NDLEA boss promised to remain steadfast in its mission to eradicate drug-related criminality and protect the young citizens from the devastating effects of addiction and trafficking.
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