Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
BENIN CITY, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 73,463.21 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with an estimated street value of ₦2.8 billion in Edo State, marking one of the agency’s largest public drug destruction exercises in recent times. The exercise was carried out on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Idogbo in Ikpoba‑Okha Local Government Area of the state.
The destruction, which was conducted under an order of the Federal High Court in Benin City, saw illicit drugs set ablaze in the presence of government officials, security agencies, traditional leaders, students, and other stakeholders. Cannabis sativa accounted for the bulk of the destroyed substances, weighing 73,210.23 kilogrammes. Also destroyed were 246.36 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances, which included 141.81 kilogrammes of tramadol, 8.4258 kilogrammes of diazepam, and 61.7652 kilogrammes of codeine cough syrup. The agency additionally destroyed 2.662 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, 3.7441 kilogrammes of cocaine, and 0.2168 kilogrammes of heroin.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the event as a reaffirmation of the collective resolve to confront, dismantle, and defeat the menace of drug abuse. Represented by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, Suleiman Ahmed Ningi, Marwa expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for its support, particularly the allocation of 20 plots of land for the construction of a model state command headquarters. “What we are gathered here to do transcends the physical act of burning contraband. We are, in the most powerful terms, reaffirming our collective and unshakeable resolve to confront, dismantle, and ultimately defeat the menace of drug abuse,” Marwa said.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who was represented by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State and Chairperson of the Edo State Drug Control Committee, Edesili Anani, described the war against drugs as a battle against criminality. “This is not a moment for celebration alone; it is a moment for sober reflection and renewed commitment. The war on drugs is a war for the soul of our nation. It is a war against criminality, kidnapping, banditry, and the devastating health consequences of substance abuse,” Okpebholo said. The governor issued a stern warning to drug traffickers operating in the state: “Drug traffickers must leave Edo State because we are coming for them, and we will not relent until every gram of illicit substance is seized and destroyed.”
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed that the command had sustained intelligence‑driven operations targeting drug trafficking networks. He said that during operations leading to the seizures, the command had intercepted cars and articulated trucks laden with drugs, destroyed cannabis farms, raided illicit drug warehouses, and even uncovered narcotics concealed in shrines. “We have identified and destroyed cannabis farms as well as illicit drug warehouses. We have apprehended both the young and the old, male and female, and have even recovered drugs hidden in shrines. We have been attacked on the line of duty with firearms, but we are not deterred from executing our mandate,” Ofoyeju said.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Ikpea, who was present at the event, commended the NDLEA for its achievements in drug interdiction and pledged legislative support to strengthen the agency’s operations. “Every kilogramme of cocaine, every bag of cannabis, and every sachet of tramadol and codeine destroyed today represents lives saved from the catastrophic effects of drug abuse. Your work is dangerous and often underfunded, yet you continue to fill critical gaps in our national security architecture. We will continue to press for better welfare, funding, equipment, and legal backing for your operations,” Ikpea stated.
The public destruction exercise demonstrated transparency and accountability, ensuring that seized narcotics would not find their way back into circulation. NDLEA officials noted that the volume of the seizures highlighted both the scale of the drug trafficking challenge and the effectiveness of the agency’s intelligence‑led operations. The exercise was witnessed by representatives of security agencies, government officials, religious leaders, community stakeholders, and students, reflecting broad public support for the fight against substance abuse and drug‑related crimes.
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