NDLEA seizes 16,818kg of illicit drugs, arrests 75 suspects in Edo

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 - The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested 75 suspected drug traffickers and seized 16,818.17 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in the state.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this, saying the suspects were arrested in October 2026.

Ofoyeju gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects as 54 males and 21 females. He said eight cannabis farms measuring 5.728819 hectares, with an estimated yield of 14,322.0475 kilogrammes, were also destroyed within the period.

The commander listed the seized illicit drugs to include 2,492.6973 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, 3.2169 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances, 0.20371 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, 35 cylinders of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), six cups of brownies and 4.1 litres of codeine syrup.

He identified some of those arrested as Monday Orji, 52, Monday Lawal, 40 and Precious Uduegele, 20.

"One of the spectacular seizures of the month is the impoundment of a black Toyota Camry at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area. The car was found conveying 1,049 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 702.83kg.

"The cannabis farms destroyed were located in Uzebba Forest and Ukhuise-Osi Community in Owan West Local Government Area; Ugbada Forest, also in Owan West; Ugboshi Ele Forest in Akoko Edo; and Eco Camp, Illushi, in Esan South East Local Government Area," he said.

Ofoyeju added that the command secured six convictions and charged 14 cases to court, while 103 cases remained pending.

Meanwhile, he said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, had charged the Edo Command to intensify efforts against drug cartels operating in the state.

Marwa also urged the officers to sustain the tempo of intelligence-led operations and dismantle trafficking networks in line with the agency's strategic vision.

Ofoyeju, who described the chairman's visit as a catalyst, said the officers were excited and determined to intensify the fight against drug trafficking.