Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army, has arrested five suspects and confiscated a large quantity of illicit drugs in Benin City, Edo State. The operation underscores continued efforts by anti-narcotics authorities to disrupt drug distribution networks and stem the flow of controlled substances within the state.
NDLEA officials confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The suspects include a 46-year-old patent medicine vendor and a 25-year-old supermarket owner, among others, who were apprehended following intelligence-driven raids across multiple locations in the state capital.
During the coordinated operation with military support, authorities seized a total of 11,297 capsules of Tramadol and other controlled substances. Tramadol, a synthetic opioid often diverted for abuse, remains one of the most widely trafficked prescription drugs in Nigeria due to its high potential for misuse.
The joint action was part of broader enforcement efforts by the NDLEA Edo State Command under the leadership of Commander of Narcotics Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, reflecting intensified collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies against drug trafficking and abuse. Previous operations by the Edo NDLEA have similarly resulted in substantial seizures and multiple arrests across the state, part of ongoing campaigns to reduce the availability of illicit drugs.
The suspects are currently being processed and are expected to face prosecution on charges relating to the unlawful possession, trafficking and distribution of controlled substances under Nigeria’s drug laws. Officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining pressure on syndicates and individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
This operation adds to a series of successful anti-narcotics activities in the state, which in recent months have seen the NDLEA Edo Command make substantial seizures and arrests as part of its enforcement mandate.
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