The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested no fewer than 56 suspected drug traffickers in the state with 2,167.74kg of drugs.
The breakdown of the arrested suspects are 34 males and 22 females.
Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the Agency disclosed this on Thursday, March 5, 2026 while presenting the command’s scorecard for the month of February.
He said that with the seizure the Command had successfully taken the illicit drugs out of circulation within the period under review.
He said the arrest and seizure was as a result of a series of intelligence-led operations across the state.
The Edo State NDLEA boss said three cannabis farms measuring 0.506739 hectares with an estimated yield of 1,266.85kg were destroyed in the forests in the period under review.
Ofoyeju also added that the illicit drugs and substances seized include 900.89 kilograms.
“The bulk of the seizure was Cannabis Sativa, while psychotropic substances were 5.1253 kg and methamphetamine 0.0605 kg”, he said.
He also disclosed that the prosecution unit of the command secured 14 convictions within the period, adding that three new cases were filed in the Federal High, Benin City, bringing the total number of pending cases to 96.
On the prevention front, he said the command’s Drug Demand Reduction Department counselled 28 clients out of which 23 males and 5 females referred for counselling have been reunited with their families.
He added that 11 others are currently undergoing rehabilitation while the department further conducted three public sensitisation programmes aimed at educating communities on the dangers of drug abuse.
He opined that the figures for February 2026 reflected the Command’s unwavering commitment to the mandate of the NDLEA and directives by the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (RTD).
While commending the dedication of his officers and men, Dr Ofoyeju highlighted the persistent challenge posed by the difficult, often inaccessible terrain used for cannabis cultivation in the state.
He emphasised the need for enhanced operational logistics to effectively tackle this aspect of the drug problem.
He posited that the agency is dismantling networks, destroying farms, prosecuting offenders, and rehabilitating victims despite the stubborn attitude of drug traffickers in the State.
The NDLEA Commander, however, assured that the Command remains resolute and will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle drug trafficking cartels and create a safer, drug-free society for the citizens.
NDLEA nabs 56 suspected drug traffickers, destroy 3 cannabis farms in Edo
