NDLEA arrest 29 suspects with 10,359kg illicit drugs in Edo
NDLEA Arrests 29 Suspected Drug Traffickers in Edo State
Operatives from the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended 29 individuals suspected of drug trafficking, seizing a total of 10,359 kilograms of narcotic substances.
Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the NDLEA, announced the results of April’s operations during a briefing on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. He characterized the month as significant for the agency’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse within the state.
Of the 29 arrested, 19 are male and 10 are female. The suspects were detained during focused raids on known drug hotspots and routine motorized patrols throughout Edo State.
The cache of seized narcotics includes 9,611.69 kilograms of cannabis, 748.02 kilograms of psychotropic substances, and 444 kilograms of tramadol. Additional seizures feature 25.2 kilograms of rohypnol, 242.82 kilograms of diazepam injection, 36 kilograms of bromazepam, and 20.2 liters of codeine syrup. There were no seizures of methamphetamine reported.
Ofoyeju also revealed that a cannabis farm, covering approximately 0.91 hectares in Egbeta Forest Saboro Camp, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, was identified and destroyed. This farm is estimated to have the potential to yield around 2,281.43 kilograms of cannabis.
In terms of legal proceedings, the agency secured five convictions and filed four new charges in April. Currently, there are 89 drug-related cases pending in the Federal High Court in Benin City.
To address drug demand, Ofoyeju stated that the command has offered counseling services to 13 clients, returning them to their families, while 12 others remain in rehabilitation programs. The agency also conducted seven awareness programs aimed at educating the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
Ofoyeju emphasized the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations in Edo State and pledged to enhance both operational efforts and community engagement in the fight against drug-related crime.
