Benin: Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intensified their war against illicit drugs in Edo State, apprehending four suspected traffickers and dismantling cannabis farms during coordinated raids across the state.
The operations mark another decisive strike in the agency’s nationwide campaign to curb narcotics cultivation and trafficking.
Operatives destroyed two cannabis plantations with an estimated yield of 1,388.42 kilogrammes in forest communities within Edo.
The Edo Commander of the NDLEA, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing for journalists in Benin.
Ofoyeju said the command recorded operational successes through intelligence-led raids conducted over the past week across strategic locations.
He explained that operatives stormed Ago Forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area after receiving credible intelligence about illegal cannabis cultivation.
Two large cannabis farms were discovered and destroyed during the operation inside the forest.
“One farm measured approximately 0.362 hectares, while the other was about 0.229 hectares. The combined size of the two farms was 0.555 hectares,” Ofoyeju said.
These plantations were destroyed to prevent harvested cannabis from reaching illegal markets.
Ofoyeju, however, disclosed that the cultivators fled before the operatives arrived, so they did not apprehend any suspect during the forest operation.
He said the command is determined to intensify surveillance in forests and remote communities used for illicit cultivation.
He revealed that the four suspects, three female and one male, were arrested during separate raids in Benin and surrounding communities.
The raids were conducted behind the Oredo Local Government Secretariat, in the Oluku area, and in the Uduwuga community in the Uhumwonde Local Government Area.
Ofoyeju identified the suspects as Eniye Osague, 25; Osaretin Erabor, 43; Vivian Chukwuma, 38; and Osigwe Omogie, 44.
He said preliminary investigations connected the suspects to drug trafficking and unlawful possession of prohibited substances within their respective locations.
“The command will continue to pursue traffickers, cultivators and distributors operating across Edo State without compromise,” he stated.
Beyond enforcement operations, Ofoyeju said the agency strengthens preventive education by launching sensitisation campaigns targeting secondary school students.
He disclosed that the NDLEA and the Niger Delta Development Commission partnered to organise a three-day awareness programme in Benin.
The programme, held between May 13 and May 15, focused on combating cultism, drug abuse and related anti-social activities among students.
The sensitisation programme carried the theme, ‘Anti-Cultism/Drug Abuse in Secondary Schools.’
Ofoyeju recalled that discussions centred on the topic, ‘Drug Abuse as a Catalyst to Secret Cultism and Related Anti-Social Vices.’
Participating schools included Edo College, Western Boys High School and Uselu Grammar School, all located within Benin.
Ofoyeju said the programme reached 1,755 students in total, including 1,505 males and 250 females from the participating schools. This represents about 86% male and 14% female participants.
He noted that facilitators were drawn from the NDLEA, the Nigeria Police Force and Everlink Network to ensure broader engagement.
“The command remains committed to ensuring a safe, secure and drug-free society through sustained enforcement and preventive education,” Ofoyeju added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to implementing directives issued by the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd).
