The Edo State Command of the Nationwide Drug Regulation Enforcement Company has sustained the clampdown on drug trafficking cartels with the apprehension of 462 suspected drug traffickers with 207,595.54kg of illicit medicine in a formidable 2025 scorecard.
The State Commander of the Anti-Narcotics Company, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, gave the statistics whereas addressing journalists in Benin Metropolis, the Edo State capital.
He described the command’s achievement as a considerable leap in intelligence-led operations, efficient authorized prosecution, and drug demand discount initiatives.
Within the 12 months beneath evaluate, a complete of 462 suspected drug traffickers had been apprehended, comprising 309 males and 153 females. These arrests had been a direct results of a number of focused operations aimed toward curbing the drug commerce within the state. The command reported vital seizures of narcotic medicine and psychotropic substances with a complete weight of 207,595.54 kg. This contains Hashish Sativa: 207,206.08 kg, Cocaine: 0.0601 kg, Heroin: 0.029 kg, Methamphetamine: 1.50103 kg, Psychotropic Substances: 183.0699 kg and Codeine-Based mostly Syrup: 204.8 litres.
In response to him, hashish constitutes the most important chunk of the medicine, with 207,206.08 kg. The Command efficiently recognized and destroyed 45 Hashish sativa farms, spanning a complete space of 77.5122 hectares throughout varied native authorities areas, with an estimated yield of 193,491.1568 kg of illicit medicine, whereas 13,714.9233 kg of processed hashish had been seized throughout raid operations.
Ofoyeju said that the command is poised to combat the issue of drug cultivation, trafficking and abuse. “Our unwavering dedication to combating drug cultivation, trafficking and abuse will proceed to be a high precedence. Along with our companions, we’ll work tirelessly to make sure a safer Edo State for all.”
The statistics of arrests present that three states high the state of origin of arrested suspects. They’re Edo 207, Delta 84, and Benue 23. Akwa Ibom has 21, Katsina 14, and Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, and Enugu have 12 every. Suspects inside the age brackets of 25-34 had the best quantity with 153; this was adopted by these between ages 15 and 24 with 134, whereas these between 35 and 44 are 108. In consequence, our interventions shall be geared in direction of these age brackets.
The command’s dedication to prosecution additionally yielded constructive outcomes, with 66 convictions, whereas 104 circumstances stay pending within the Federal Excessive Court docket. As well as, a complete of twelve autos had been impounded as instrumentalities of drug crimes. This highlights the continued dedication to deal with drug-related offences successfully and logically.
Past enforcement, the command undertook important drug demand discount actions. A complete of 300 drug-dependent people obtained fast intervention counselling companies, aimed toward reintegrating them again into society. As well as, the NDLEA carried out intensive public enlightenment campaigns to boost consciousness concerning the well being dangers and societal risks related to drug abuse and trafficking.
He recommended His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his unwavering political will in preventing the drug conflict, notably the renewal of the Chairman/Chief Government Officer of the NDLEA’s tenure, Brig. Normal Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) CON. He thanked the Edo State authorities for constituting the Edo State and Native Authorities Drug Management Committees throughout the interval beneath evaluate. The target is to convey collectively varied stakeholders to find lasting options to the drug downside within the state. His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo additionally allotted land for the development of a mannequin state command headquarters. This collaboration is certainly a welcome improvement in tackling the illicit drug commerce within the state.
“As we transfer ahead, the Edo State Command stays steadfast in its mission to dismantle drug trafficking cartels working inside the state,” the Commander stated.