NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 In Widening War Against Drug Trade In Edo -

By Chijioke Courage Nkemjika

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Seizes Over 1.3 Tonnes of Drugs, Arrests 39 in Edo State Crackdown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has intensified its offensive against the illegal drug trade, carrying out a string of major operations in May that led to the destruction of two cannabis farms, the arrest of 39 suspects, and the seizure of more than 1.3 tonnes of various narcotics.

The State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, made this known during a media briefing held on Monday in Benin City, where he presented the command’s monthly operational scorecard since taking over leadership of the agency’s activities in the state.

According to Ofoyeju, the sweeping operations were part of a renewed strategy aimed at dismantling drug networks—especially those involved in cannabis cultivation and trafficking, which remain rampant in the state’s remote forest regions. The month-long exercise, he said, produced several breakthroughs in both rural and urban areas.

He revealed that a total of 39 suspects were arrested within the period. Of those apprehended, 18 were male while 21 were female. The suspects are currently undergoing various stages of investigation and legal processing and will be charged once formal documentation is completed.

Two cannabis farms, measuring a combined area of 0.783 hectares, were located and destroyed in the thick forests of Uzebba and Ohosu, situated in Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas respectively. The Uzebba plantation was recorded at 0.266 hectares, while the larger Ohosu farm stretched over 0.517 hectares.

“These farms were carefully hidden within difficult terrain, indicating the level of sophistication used by cannabis growers. However, with the support of intelligence and community information, our officers were able to locate and completely destroy these illegal farms before harvest,” Ofoyeju stated.

The agency also recorded one of its largest single seizures in the month during an intelligence-led operation at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area. Officers intercepted 74 and a half bags of dried cannabis sativa, weighing a total of 1,115 kilograms. The drugs were concealed in storage sacks and prepared for distribution.

Two individuals were arrested at the scene of the bust: 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers State. Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects were acting as couriers in a wider trafficking network that moves drugs across state lines.

In a separate operation conducted within Benin City, the agency stormed the Oluku area and apprehended an 18-year-old Nigerien national, Mohammed Isah, for unlawful possession of multiple controlled substances. Items recovered from him included four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets.

Commander Ofoyeju stressed that such drug seizures and arrests are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern that is feeding the surge in violent crimes, youth addiction, and insecurity in Edo State.

“Drug trafficking and abuse are directly linked to rising levels of cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and street violence across the state. The presence of hard drugs is fuelling these crimes, undermining public safety, and disrupting the social fabric of our communities,” he said.

He noted that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s current administration has identified drug control as a key area of focus in its security roadmap. According to Ofoyeju, the NDLEA in Edo is committed to complementing the state government’s efforts by expanding drug enforcement activities and intensifying public awareness campaigns.

“Our command is actively contributing to the broader fight against insecurity. As drug use continues to fuel criminality, our mandate is to intervene decisively and cut off supply chains that are feeding the problem. We are not only arresting traffickers, but also working to prevent youth involvement in drug abuse through education and advocacy,” he added.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to the directive of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), who has charged state commands with intensifying efforts to eradicate drug farms, disrupt trafficking routes, and widen the scope of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative nationwide.

The commander called on local stakeholders, community heads, traditional rulers, security partners, and civil society organizations to partner more closely with the NDLEA in identifying hideouts, reporting suspicious activity, and promoting drug-free communities.

“Fighting this war requires a united front. We cannot win it through enforcement alone. We need families, schools, religious leaders, and youth groups to become actively involved. Only through collaboration and sustained efforts can we overcome the scourge of drugs in Edo and Nigeria at large,” he emphasized.

In closing, Ofoyeju appealed for improved resource allocation and stronger support from both state and federal government institutions, saying that the complexity of the drug trade demands better equipment, vehicles, manpower, and intelligence infrastructure.

“We are doing our best with the resources available, but to sustain these victories, we must scale up. With better logistics and consistent support, this command can do even more to keep Edo safe,” he concluded.

The NDLEA’s activities in May serve as a clear warning to drug barons and traffickers that the agency is not slowing down. With community involvement, strategic raids, and intelligence-led action, the command has sent a strong message: the era of impunity in drug trafficking is drawing to a close.

By Chijioke Courage Nkemjika