NDLEA nabs 68-year-old Grandmother, six Others in Edo drug crackdown

By Jethro Ibileke

A 68-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Ogenewu, is among seven suspects arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State over alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking.

Others taken into custody include Friday Iruoje (43), Murtala Mohammed (37), Abdulkadir Idris (29), Ufoma Edafe (40), Anthony Aghati (46) and Emmanuel Owalu (39).

The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed on Wednesday that the suspects were apprehended during intelligence-led operations across parts of the state.

Ofoyeju revealed that a total of 1,956.92 kilogrammes of cannabis were intercepted, while three cannabis farms located in Etiosa Forest in Owan West Local Government Area were uncovered and destroyed.

According to him, the farms measured 0.145307 hectares, 0.203658 hectares and 0.157772 hectares respectively.

“A total of 1,956.92kg of cannabis was intercepted and seven suspected drug traffickers apprehended during the operations,” he said.

He further disclosed that the operation led to the destruction of 0.506737 hectares of cultivated cannabis, with an estimated yield of 1,266.85 kilogrammes.

The NDLEA commander urged residents to remain vigilant and support the agency’s efforts in ridding the state of illicit drugs, warning of the social and economic dangers posed by narcotics trafficking.

He added that investigations into the cases are ongoing and assured that all suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in line with the provisions of the NDLEA Act.

The latest arrests underscore the agency’s sustained clampdown on drug trafficking networks operating within Edo State and its forested corridors.