The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended no fewer than one hundred and four (104) suspected drug traffickers with eighteen thousand three hundred and eighty-one (18,380kg); kilograms of narcotics estimated to cost 1.8 billion naira.
This was disclosed by the Edo State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, while presenting the command’s first-quarter operational scorecard in Benin City, the state capital, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
According to Commander Ofoyeju, those arrested during various intelligence-led raid operations compromised 71 males and 33 females. He also explained that 18,380kg of drugs were recovered, including 5,825kg seized and a whooping 12,556kg of cannabis destroyed in ten cannabis farms measuring 5.02260 hectares.
The breakdown of the drugs is as follows; cannabis 18,293kg, psychotropic 6.01kg, methamphetamine 0.1888kg, cocaine 0.023kg, heroin 0.0151kg and codeine cough syrup 81.4 litres.
Justice dispensation also led to 36 convictions secured at the Federal High Court, Benin City, comprising 32 males and 4 females. The command also intensified anti-drug abuse education with a total of 26 programmes to highlight the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse. Twenty-eight (28) drug-dependent clients were rehabilitated, while sixty-six (66) others received counselling and were reunited with their families.
In line with the award culture of the NDLEA Chairman Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa RTD CON, ten officers, four journalists and one legal aid lawyer were recognised for their outstanding performances in advancing the fight against narcotic drugs.
Ofoyeju, while highlighting the command’s operational achievements and strategic efforts, emphasised that the awards were instituted to motivate officers and strengthen partnerships critical to the agency’s success.
The awardees include DCN Timothy Nku, Best Area Commander; DCN Hope Aigbogun, Best WADA Facilitator; while ACN Ella Ordiah was awarded Best Prosecutor. CSN Habibu Dauda was named Most Productive Officer; ASNI Omakor Isioma Uyoyomaro was awarded Most Resourceful Officer, and ASNI Omotosho Abass got the Best Investigating Officer award.
Other officers celebrated were ASNII Abdulazeez Oboh Azeko, recognised as Most Dedicated Officer; ASNII James Magani, Most Diligent Officer; CNA Emuakpor Obada, Most Disciplined Officer; and NASSI Paul Umoh, named Best-Dressed Officer.
In a significant move acknowledging the role of the media in the fight against drug abuse, the command also presented awards to its Best Media Partners for 2025.
The recipients are Adeyinka Adedipe of The Punch Newspapers; Bello Usman of Daily Trust Newspapers; Nafeesa Bello of the Edo Broadcasting Service; and Usman Aliyu of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Similarly, a legal aid lawyer, Barrister Mrs Agbako Afamefune of Breakthrough Legal Consults, was also recognised for their contribution to legal jurisprudence in drug cases by assisting accused persons who couldn’t afford legal representation.
Commander Ofoyeju praised the award-winning journalists for their consistent, fair, and insightful coverage of the NDLEA’s activities, which he said has been instrumental in raising public awareness and fostering community support.
The event also featured the official release of the maiden edition of the NDLEA Edo State Command’s magazine. The publication is designed to document the Command’s activities, share success stories, and educate the public on the dangers of illicit drug use.
“Today, we celebrate dedication, resourcefulness, and fruitful collaboration. The award recipients represent the best of our collective resolve to secure a drug-free society. The release of our magazine also marks a new chapter in our public engagement,” Ofoyeju said.
