The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 68 suspected drug traffickers and seized more than 7,500 kilogrammes of illicit drugs during operations carried out across the state in August 2026.
The State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in the command’s August operational report released on Thursday.
According to him, the suspects comprised 34 males and 34 females, while a total of 7,531.51kg of narcotic substances were recovered and removed from circulation.
The seizures included 7,524.83kg of Cannabis sativa, comprising cannabis seized during operations and an estimated 6,433.33kg destroyed from cannabis plantations. The command also recovered 5.3311kg of psychotropic substances, 0.0668kg of methamphetamine and 34.8 litres of codeine syrup.
Ofoyeju said the command also intensified its fight against cannabis cultivation, leading to the identification and destruction of four cannabis farms in different parts of Edo State.
The farms, located in Igbanke Forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area and Ukaro and Ewe forests in Owan West Local Government Area, covered a combined area of about 2.57 hectares, with an estimated cannabis yield of 6,433.33kg.
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The commander described the operations as a major setback for drug distribution networks in the state, assuring residents that the agency would continue to intensify its enforcement activities.
He also disclosed that although there were no convictions during the month due to the vacation of the Federal High Court, three new cases were filed, while 87 cases remained pending.
Beyond enforcement, the command said it continued its drug prevention and rehabilitation programmes. Its counselling unit provided support to 23 clients, while 12 individuals were enrolled in vocational training programmes, including tailoring, perfume-making and liquid soap production.
The command also conducted five drug-abuse sensitisation programmes attended by more than 2,150 people as part of efforts to educate communities and prevent substance abuse.
The NDLEA said it would continue working with community leaders, media organisations and other law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse across Edo State.
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