The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Edo State Command, has arrested 75 suspected drug traffickers and seized more than 16.8 tonnes of illicit substances in October 2026.

The State Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement, attributing the command’s operational gains partly to the recent visit of the agency’s Chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa.

Ofoyeju said operatives recovered 2,496 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and destroyed eight cannabis farms spanning approximately 5.7 hectares, with an estimated yield of 14,322 kilogrammes.

He explained that the suspects comprised 54 males and 21 females, while the recovered substances included cannabis, psychotropic drugs, methamphetamine, codeine syrup and nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas.

One of the major operations took place in Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, where NDLEA operatives intercepted a black Toyota Camry conveying 1,049 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 702.83 kilogrammes.

Three suspects, including two males and a female, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

The commander said the destroyed cannabis plantations were located in communities across Owan West, Akoko Edo and Esan South-East Local Government Areas.

On prosecution, Ofoyeju disclosed that the command secured six convictions and filed 14 cases in court, while 103 other cases remained pending.

He added that 47 drug users had received counselling, while another 12 were undergoing rehabilitation and vocational training in tailoring, embroidery, perfume-making and liquid soap production.

The command also organised ten drug abuse sensitisation programmes across schools, religious centres, markets and public places in Benin City, reaching more than 5,200 people.

Ofoyeju reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse, stressing that creating a drug-free society remained a major priority.