By Emmanuel Bello
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Edo State has commenced its battle against drug trafficking in 2026 on a positive note, with the arrest of forty-six suspected traffickers with six thousand, four hundred and thirty-nine kilograms of narcotic drugs and convictions of seven persons in the month of January.
Edo State Commander of the agency, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, made this known in Benin City while presenting the January 2026 operational scorecard.
According to Commander Mitchell, those arrested included thirty-six males and ten females.
He further said that one of the outstanding seizures within the month under review was the interception of sixty-six bags of cannabis hidden inside bags of charcoal weighing 792 kg.
He noted that one Shaibu Yusuf was arrested in connection with the bags of cannabis along the Auchi-Abuja expressway while attempting to convey the illicit drugs to the northern part of the country.
Commander Mitchell commended the Commander of the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade Benin City, Brigadier General A. O. Balogun, for his support in the fight against illicit drugs in the State.
“Within the month under review, General Balogun transferred two drug suspects, Chief James Abamu, 48 years old, and Aboy Egah, 31 years old, with 681 kg of cannabis and 181 kg of cannabis seeds to the NDLEA,” he stated.
He observed that the military personnel in a joint operation with the NDLEA agents conducted a cannabis farm destruction in Ebora Camp, Ilushi forest, in Esan South East LGA of Edo State.
The NDLEA commander reaffirmed that the agency will remain resolute in its mission to combat drug-related crime and ensure a healthier, drug-free environment for the people of Edo State.
