NDLEA seizes N724 million cannabis, suspects arrested

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two articulated trucks carrying 7,245 kilograms of cannabis, worth an estimated N724.5 million, in Edo State, and arrested five suspected traffickers.

Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the seizure at a press briefing in Benin City on Monday. He said the illicit consignment, packed into trucks transporting alcoholic drinks, was the largest haul in the command’s history.

“The Edo State Command of the NDLEA has recorded a monumental operational success, with the interception of two articulated trucks laden with 7,245kg of skunk cannabis and the arrest of five suspected drug traffickers,” Ofoyeju said.

The suspects arrested include: Ibrahim Abu (29), Abu Abdullazeez (28), Jibril Jaminu (35), Andrew Moses (22), and Ganiyu Abu (21) — all male indigenes of Etsako East and Etsako West Local Government Areas of Edo State.

According to the commander, the first truck (OYO LUY 172 XC) carried 260 bags weighing 3,900kg, while the second (OYO LUY 281 XC) contained 223 bags weighing 3,345kg. Preliminary investigations indicate the shipment originated from Sabongida-Ora, Owan West LGA, and was destined for Abuja.

“The colossal damage it would have caused to the FCT and the entire north central, save for our intervention, is better left unimagined,” he added.

The trucks and drugs have been moved to NDLEA headquarters in Benin City for documentation and further investigation. Both vehicles will be confiscated as instrumentalities of drug crime.

Ofoyeju praised the operation as a demonstration of the agency’s commitment to disrupting inter-state drug trafficking networks, sending a clear warning to criminal syndicates. He called on citizens to continue providing timely information to aid enforcement efforts.

“This operation aligns with the strategic mandate and zero-tolerance directive of the NDLEA under Chairman/CEO Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd),” the commander said.