NDLEA nabs 56 suspected drug traffickers, destroy 3 cannabis farms in Edo
Edo State NDLEA Arrests 56 Suspected Drug Traffickers, Seizes Over 2,000 Kilograms of Illicit Substances
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 56 individuals, including 34 men and 22 women, in connection with drug trafficking activities. During this operation, authorities seized a total of 2,167.74 kilograms of illicit drugs.
Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the NDLEA, announced these developments on Thursday, March 5, 2026, while presenting the monthly report for February.
“With this seizure, the Command has successfully removed a substantial quantity of illicit drugs from circulation during the month,” Ofoyeju said. He attributed the recent arrests to a series of intelligence-led operations conducted across the state.
The NDLEA also reported the destruction of three cannabis farms, totaling 0.51 hectares, which were expected to yield approximately 1,266.85 kilograms of cannabis. In addition to that, the agency seized 900.89 kilograms of other substances, primarily cannabis sativa, as well as 5.1253 kilograms of psychotropic drugs and 0.0605 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The Command’s prosecution unit secured 14 convictions over the past month and filed three new cases in the Federal High Court in Benin City, bringing the total number of pending cases to 96.
On the prevention front, Ofoyeju noted that the Drug Demand Reduction Department counseled 28 clients, of whom 23 males and five females have been reunited with their families. Eleven others are currently undergoing rehabilitation. The department also conducted three public sensitization programs aimed at educating communities about the dangers of drug abuse.
Ofoyeju emphasized that the statistics from February 2026 reflect the Command’s ongoing commitment to NDLEA’s mission, under the leadership of Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (RTD).
While commending the efforts of his officers, he acknowledged the challenges posed by difficult terrains that are often used for cannabis cultivation. He stressed the need for improved operational logistics to effectively combat drug trafficking in the region.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Ofoyeju assured the public that the NDLEA remains dedicated to dismantling drug trafficking networks and fostering a safer, drug-free environment for the citizens of Edo State.
