The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of 46 suspected drug traffickers, the seizure of nearly 40,000 kilograms of illicit drugs, and the destruction of 15.85 hectares of cannabis plantations in July.
Edo NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed the figures in Benin City on Monday while presenting the command’s monthly performance report. He said intelligence-led operations targeted major drug flashpoints, including Ihama Road in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) and other hotspots across the state.
“In July, we arrested 46 suspect
s — 38 men and eight women — and dismantled seven cannabis farms across Oke Forest in Uhunmwonde and Ewere Forest in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, covering a total of 15.85 hectares,” Ofoyeju said.
A total of 39,983 kg of narcotics were seized, including cannabis (39,977.644 kg), psychotropic substances (5.6 kg), methamphetamine (0.26 g), cocaine (0.0598 g), and 5.8 litres of codeine syrup.
Among the notable arrests was Alaba Monday (49), a suspected drug baron from Owan West who had been on the command’s wanted list since 2023. He was captured inside a cannabis farm with 11 bags of processed cannabis weighing 115 kg.
Other arrests included:
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Yusuf Isuku (40), from Etsako West, found with 22 parcels of skunk weighing 10.265 kg hidden in a sack of garri along Wareke Road, Auchi.
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Josiah Friday (48), from Akoko Edo, caught along Igara–Auchi Road with 36 kg of cannabis concealed in black polythene.
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Izunna Nwankwo (26), from Ebonyi State, apprehended on Benin–Auchi Road with 15,400 capsules of tramadol, 200 tablets of swinol, 357 tablets of molly, and 54 bottles of codeine cough syrup.
Raids along Ihama Road also netted several street-level dealers, including:
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Emmanuel Onaji (29), from Benue State, with molly.
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Joshua Paul (21), from Edo State, with Loud.
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Prosper Titus (20), from Benue State, with Loud.
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Andy Obioma (28), from Rivers State.
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Agu Emmanuel (23), from Kaduna State, with Loud.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA engaged in community outreach. Thirty-two individuals received brief intervention counselling, 11 are undergoing rehabilitation, and sensitisation programmes reached over 8,000 people in July alone.
Ofoyeju reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to dismantle drug networks while helping users access treatment and education.
