Anti-narcotic operatives attached to the Edo State Command have intensified their operations in the fight against illicit drug deals, arresting fifty-six suspects with two thousand, one hundred and sixty-seven kilograms of cannabis in the month ended February.

The command also destroyed three cannabis farm and secured the conviction of fourteen drug suspects in the month under review.

Its Commander, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju in a statement said though the task is herculean, there was no retreat in the drug war in the state.

Ofoyeju added that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has reported significant success in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the month of February 2026.

He said at news briefing to give the press the operational statistics and the command’s scorecard for the month of February.

A series of intelligence-led operations across the state culminated in the arrest of fifty-six (56) suspected drug traffickers, comprising 34 males and 22 females, from various identified drug flashpoints.

A total seizure of 2,167.74kg of drugs was successfully taken out of illicit circulation within the period under review.
The illicit drugs include 900.89 kilograms of illicit substances confiscated while three cannabis farms measuring 0.506739 hectares with an estimated yield of 1,266.85kg were destroyed in the forests.

The bulk of the seizure was Cannabis Sativa, while psychotropic substances were 5.1253 kg and methamphetamine 0.0605 kg.

The prosecution unit of the command also recorded remarkable success, securing fourteen (14) convictions in February.

Three new cases were filed in court, bringing the total number of pending cases at the Federal High Court, Benin City, to ninety-six (96).

On the prevention front, the command’s Drug Demand Reduction Department counselled twenty-eight (28) clients (23 males and 5 females) referred for counselling and reunited them with their families.

Eleven (11) others are currently undergoing rehabilitation.

The unit further conducted three (3) public sensitisation programmes aimed at educating communities on the dangers of drug abuse.

In the meantime, I want to commend the dedication of my officers and men and highlight the persistent challenge posed by the difficult, often inaccessible terrain used for cannabis cultivation in the state.

We therefore, want to emphasise the need for enhanced operational logistics to effectively tackle this aspect of the drug problem.

The figures for February 2026 reflect our unwavering commitment to the mandate of the NDLEA and directives by the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa.

We are dismantling networks, destroying farms, prosecuting offenders, and rehabilitating victims.

Despite the stubborn attitude of drug traffickers, Edo State Command remains resolute and will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle drug trafficking cartels and create a safer, drug-free society for our citizens.