NDLEA Arrests 42 Suspects, Seizes 9,520kg Of Illicit Drugs In Edo

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 9,520 kilograms of illicit substances in September 2026.

The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Thursday disclosed this in the command’s monthly operational scorecard, saying the arrests comprised 22 females and 20 males.

He added that a suspected drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, who allegedly escaped arrest, had been declared wanted by the command.

According to him, Odeh’s salesgirl, 26-year-old Ojugo Mercy, was arrested with 989 grams of Loud, 13 grams of Colorado and 83 grams of methamphetamine.

He said the suspect fled in a black Toyota Matrix, which was recovered along with 65 grams of cannabis, N1.16 million and 55 Ethiopian birr.

Ofoyeju said the command seized 271.92348kg of other illicit substances, comprising 245.29kg of cannabis, 25.97kg of psychotropic substances and 0.66kg of methamphetamine, as well as 62.6 litres of codeine syrup.

He said 10 cannabis farms covering 3.699303 hectares were also destroyed, with an estimated yield of 9,248.2575kg of cannabis.

The commander further disclosed that three convictions were secured during the month, while 83 cases remained ongoing.

He said 28 drug clients received counselling and vocational training in tailoring, embroidery and liquid soap production as part of efforts to support their reintegration into society.

Ofoyeju also said the command, in collaboration with the Edo State Drug Control Committee, ESDCC, organised the Okpebholo/Marwa Marathon Against Drug Abuse for secondary school students, with three winners receiving scholarships.

He called for increased cooperation among stakeholders to curb drug trafficking, cultivation and substance abuse in the state.