(NDLEA. Photo by Daily Post)
In July 2026, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Edo State Command detained at least 49 alleged drug dealers.
Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA Commandant in Edo State, made this revelation on Thursday in Benin City while 73 officers who had been promoted to new positions were decorated.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Edo State has disclosed the arrest of 49 suspects for dr ug-related offences, comprising 29 females and 20 males.
Ofoyeju expressed concern over the high number of females involved in dr ug-related crimes, noting that it highlighted a shift in the socio-economic vulnerability of women and a breakdown of traditional family stability.
He said three warehouses were detected and raided in the state during the period under review, two located in Benin City and one at Illushi, while two vehicles, a Toyota Sienna with registration number Ondo NND 975 AG and a Toyota Camry with registration number Edo BEN 503 BK, used in transporting cannabis, were equally intercepted.
The NDLEA commandant said cannabis led the seizure list with 2,588.4 kilograms, followed by psychotropic substances at 6.13 kilograms, cocaine at 0.071 kg, heroin at 0.005 kg, and methamphetamine at 1.68 kg.
He added that the command also seized 15.3 litres of codeine cough syrup and 10 cylinders of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, noting that the assorted narcotics underscored the varied nature of substances being tr@fficked and abused within the state.
Ofoyeju added that in a move to eradicate dr ug production, the command destroyed one cannabis farm located in the Egbisi forest of Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, describing the destruction as a crucial victory in the NDLEA’s mission to dismantle dr ug production operations within Edo State.
He said the command’s efforts had not gone without recognition, noting that it successfully secured convictions in four notable dr ug cases during the month.
He added that in its commitment to addressing dr ug abuse, 24 individuals with dr ug use problems were counselled and reunited with their family members.
Ofoyeju stated that the conviction of suspects and the counselling of affected individuals illustrated the agency’s holistic approach towards combating dr ug-related issues within the community.