The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its fight against drug trafficking in Edo State, arresting no fewer than 289 suspected drug traffickers since January 2026. This significant operation, highlighted during the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Benin City, underscores the agency’s commitment to curbing drug-related crimes. Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA State Commander, revealed that the arrests include 176 males and 113 females, with 52 individuals already convicted—47 males and five females.
In addition to arrests, the agency seized a total of 35,008.38 kilograms of cannabis, comprising 14,705.31 kilograms recovered from traffickers and 20,303.07 kilograms destroyed on cannabis plantations. These seizures reflect a coordinated effort to dismantle drug supply chains and disrupt illegal cultivation. The NDLEA also provided counselling services to 135 persons struggling with drug abuse—101 males and 34 females—while conducting 33 anti-drug sensitisation programmes that reached 6,092 participants across the state.
Ofoyeju emphasized that the war against drug trafficking cannot be won by law enforcement alone. He called on parents and guardians to be vigilant, urging them to monitor their children’s behaviour, know their friends, and recognize early warning signs of substance abuse. He also appealed to youths not to let drugs destroy their health, dreams, or future. Traditional rulers and religious leaders, he noted, play a crucial role as moral guides and should use their influence to promote drug-free communities.
The NDLEA commander reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to make Edo State a hostile environment for drug traffickers while ensuring safe spaces for rehabilitation and recovery. He stressed that the agency remains professional, uncompromising, and innovative in its operations. Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Drug Policy and Trafficking Control, Andrew Efe, echoed this sentiment, pledging zero tolerance for drug trafficking in the state.
The governor warned that no one is above the law and that drug traffickers will face full legal consequences. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to expand access to quality counselling and rehabilitation for victims of drug abuse. “Addiction is a public health crisis,” he said, “but we will not abandon our children. We will give them a chance to recover and rebuild.” With new challenges emerging, the governor vowed sharper, faster, and more united responses to keep Edo State free from narcotics. The fight continues, and the message is clear: Edo will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers.
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