The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, arrested 68 suspected drug offenders and seized 7,531.51kg of illegal drugs across the state in August 2026.
The suspects comprised 34 males and 34 females who were arrested during operations carried out by NDLEA officers in different parts of Edo State.
The Edo State Commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the figures, saying the arrests and seizures were part of efforts to stop drug trafficking and abuse in the state.
The largest quantity of drugs seized was cannabis, with 7,524.83kg recovered during the operations.
According to the command, 1,098.177kg of cannabis was seized from suspects, while another 6,433.33kg was destroyed after being recovered from cannabis farms.
The NDLEA also seized 5.3311kg of psychotropic substances, 0.0668kg of methamphetamine and 34.8 litres of codeine syrup.
The agency further discovered and destroyed four cannabis farms located in Igbanke Forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Ukaro Forest and Ewe Forest in Owan West Local Government Area.
The farms covered a total area of 2.573331 hectares and were estimated to contain 6,433.33kg of cannabis.
Ofoyeju said the command would continue its operations against the cultivation, distribution and sale of illegal drugs across Edo State.
He also said the agency would continue to work with community leaders, media organisations and other security agencies to reduce drug-related activities.
The commander disclosed that no conviction was recorded during the month because the Federal High Court was on vacation.
However, three new cases were filed, while 87 other drug-related cases remained pending before the court.
Apart from arrests and seizures, the command also provided counselling and rehabilitation support to people affected by drug abuse.
Ofoyeju said 23 people received counselling, while 12 others were enrolled in vocational training programmes, including tailoring, perfume-making and liquid soap production.
The command also held five drug abuse awareness programmes attended by more than 2,150 people.
The NDLEA said the programmes were aimed at educating members of the public on the dangers of drug abuse while supporting efforts to reduce drug trafficking.
The latest operation adds to the agency’s ongoing efforts to remove illegal drugs from communities and arrest people involved in the drug trade.
With 68 suspects arrested and more than 7,500kg of drugs seized, the Edo State Command said it would continue the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse across the state.