The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday said it has seized illicit drugs worth N1.8 billion in the first three months of the year.
The commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who stated this while presenting the command’s first-quarter operational scorecard in Benin, said the 18,380 kilogrammes of drugs were seized from 104 suspected drug traffickers.
According to Ofoyeju, those arrested during various intelligence-led raid operations comprised 71 males and 33 females. He explained that 18,380kg of drugs that were recovered included 5,825kg seized and 12,556kg of cannabis destroyed in 10 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.He said, “The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has apprehended 104 suspected drug traffickers with 18,380 kilograms of narcotics estimated to cost N1.8 billion.”
He also said the agency secured 36 convictions secured at the Federal High Court, Benin City, comprising 32 males and 4 females.
He noted that the command also intensified anti-drug abuse education with 26 programmes to highlight the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse. He said 28 drug-dependent clients were rehabilitated, while 66 others received counselling and were reunited with their families.
Ofoyeju said in line with the award culture of the NDLEA Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, 10 officers, four journalists and one legal aid lawyer were recognised for their outstanding performances in advancing the fight against narcotic drugs.
He said 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.
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
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 stressed.
