The Edo State Command of the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) has recorded a significant breakthrough in monitoring suppliers of skunk hashish within the Edo North of the state.
The command mentioned on Monday that in an intelligence led operation, its operatives intercepted two vans laden with 7,245 kilogrammes of skunk hashish and the arrested 5 suspected to be drug traffickers.
The command said that the road worth of the medicine has been estimated to be N724.500million.
Whereas briefing journalists in Benin Metropolis, the state Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju mentioned it’s the first time within the historical past of the command that two vans laden with illicit medicine have been intercepted at a time, thereby disrupting the inter-state drug trafficking community.
On the numerous of the seizure, Ofojeju hailed the operation as a validation of the command’s unwavering dedication and operational precision.
“This profitable interception is a transparent message to drug barons and traffickers that Edo State just isn’t a secure haven for legal commerce. The big quantity of this seizure, which is over seven metric tonnes of hashish, highlights the dimensions of the threat we’re combating. It additionally underscores the effectiveness of our intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of our officers.”
Commander Mitchell reiterated the operation aligns with the strategic mandate and zero-tolerance directive set forth by the Chairman/Chief Government Officer, Brigadier Common Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd).
“Beneath the resolute management of the Chairman, our mandate is evident and unequivocal. We’re to dismantle drug trafficking networks, apprehend the traffickers, seize their medicine and hint belongings illicitly acquired. This seizure prevents these medicine from reaching our streets and destroying numerous lives, significantly our youth.”
The operation, executed on Saturday, April 11, 2026, was the fruits of seventy-two hours of meticulous intelligence gathering and surveillance by officers of the Command.
Engaged on actionable intelligence, a crack group of the NDLEA intercepted the 2 articulated vans alongside the crucial Auchi-Abuja Highway axis about 5am.
Upon search, the vans, ostensibly carrying cartons of beer, have been discovered to have cleverly hid tons of of luggage of processed weeds. A subject check confirmed the substance to be skunk hashish, a extremely potent and harmful variant.
An in depth breakdown reveals the primary truck, with registration quantity OYO LUY 172 XC, contained 260 baggage weighing 3,900 kilograms.
The second truck, OYO LUY 281 XC, carried 223 baggage weighing 3,345 kilograms. The mixed haul totaled 483 baggage with a gross weight of seven thousand, 2 hundred and forty-five kilograms (7,245kg).
The suspects arrested in reference to the illicit consignment are as follows: Ibrahim Abu, 29 years, Abu Abdullazeez, 28 years, Jibril Jaminu, 35 years, Andrew Moses, 22 years and Ganiyu Abu, 21 years. All of the suspects are males and indigenes of Edo North.
Preliminary investigation signifies the illicit cargo originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West LGA and was destined for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, earlier than the interception.
The vans and reveals have been moved to the command headquarters in Benin Metropolis for additional documentation and investigation, which has commenced in earnest. Nonetheless, each vans shall be confiscated as instrumentalities of drug crime.
The commander assured the general public {that a} thorough investigation is ongoing to uncover the networks behind this large-scale trafficking and convey all events concerned to justice.
He additionally known as for continued assist from residents, urging them to supply well timed data to help the company’s work in safeguarding communities.
Felix Omoh-Asun
Times Nigeria