Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in a coordinated operation with the Nigerian Army, has dealt a significant blow to the illicit drug trade in the state, recovering 65 jumbo bags of skunk cannabis weighing 604.5 kilogrammes from a notorious drug hub in the Ewe Luleha community, Owan West Local Government Area. The operation, which took place on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, also resulted in the arrest of nine suspected drug peddlers across various hotspots in the state, while a manhunt has been launched for a fleeing suspected drug kingpin identified only as Sunday.
Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, disclosed these developments in a statement on Monday, August 10, 2026, detailing the successes of the agency's ongoing offensive against narcotics trafficking and abuse. According to the commander, the raid at Ewe Luleha was executed by operatives of the NDLEA supported by personnel of the Nigerian Army, leading to the seizure of 65 bags of dried weeds that tested positive for skunk cannabis. The operation targeted a notorious drug hub that had been a source of concern for law enforcement and a conduit for the distribution of illicit substances across the state. "The operation carried out by men of the NDLEA and personnel of the Nigerian Army resulted in the seizure of 65 bags of dried weeds that tested positive for skunk cannabis, weighing 604.5kg," Ofoyeju stated. He added that the agency was actively tracking the suspected drug kingpin, identified only as Sunday, who went into hiding following the raid. "He has nowhere to hide because we will certainly apprehend him," the NDLEA commander vowed.
In a separate but coordinated crackdown to rid the state of illicit drugs, NDLEA operatives apprehended nine suspected drug peddlers across various hotspots. Ofoyeju provided a detailed breakdown of the arrests and the substances recovered from each suspect. Among those arrested was Musa Muhammed, a 58-year-old grandfather from Bauchi State, who was caught with Cannabis sativa weighing 280 grammes, Loud weighing 35 grammes, and Colorado weighing 1.4 grammes. Ebere Anthony, a 55-year-old from Delta State, was arrested with 1.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa. Gift Oliseyenum, a 31-year-old from Delta, was found with 74 grammes of Cannabis sativa, 45 grammes of Loud, 2.5 grammes of Colorado, and 4.7 grammes of methamphetamine. Boniface George, a 27-year-old from Delta, was caught with 195 grammes of Cannabis sativa.
Other suspects included Muzamilu Mustapha, a 28-year-old from Katsina State, who was arrested with 40 grammes of Loud and 80 grammes of Cannabis sativa. Faustina Peter, a 27-year-old from Delta, and Chucks Odili, a 36-year-old also from Delta, were found in possession of 35 grammes of Loud, 10 grammes of Colorado, and 0.8 grammes of methamphetamine. Anna Agbona, a 17-year-old from Edo State, was arrested with 25 grammes of Tramadol, while Julius Enebuli, a 42-year-old from Delta, was caught with 1 kilogramme of Cannabis sativa, 65 grammes of Loud, and 15 grammes of Colorado. The diverse profile of the suspects, ranging from a teenager to a grandfather, and the array of substances recovered, including methamphetamine and Tramadol, underline the complexity of the drug problem in the state and the NDLEA's commitment to tackling all forms of substance abuse.
Ofoyeju commended the substantial impact of the operation, describing it as a significant step in the ongoing battle against narcotics in Edo State. He emphasised that the fight against drug trafficking remains a top priority for the agency and assured the public of ongoing investigations into drug-related activities and diligent prosecution within the state. "These arrests and drug seizures not only highlight the efforts of law enforcement but also signify the increasing need for community involvement in reporting illicit activities, as the agency continues its mission to rid society of drug-related issues," he said. The commander urged members of the public to provide any information that may lead to the apprehension of the fleeing suspect and to support ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State.
The successful operation in Edo is part of a broader, nationwide crackdown by the NDLEA. Between August 3 and 8, 2026, the agency recorded a series of major interceptions and arrests across several states. In Lagos, operatives intercepted 442 packets of cannabis-infused cookies and gummies weighing 309.4 kilogrammes at the TinCan Island Port Complex. In Oyo State, a raid on a drug warehouse at Elebure village in Orire Local Government Area led to the recovery of 731.03 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect. In Abia State, a drug joint operator was arrested with 7 kilogrammes of skunk, while in Lagos, a wanted drug dealer was apprehended after a three-month manhunt, with 88.5 kilogrammes of skunk recovered from him. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers and men for their successes and urged them to sustain the momentum, maintaining the agency's balanced approach to drug control that combines enforcement with other preventive measures.
The raid at Ewe Luleha and the subsequent arrests represent a significant victory for law enforcement in Edo State, a region that has been identified as a major hub for cannabis cultivation and trafficking. The involvement of the Nigerian Army underscores the seriousness with which the government is treating the drug trade, often linked to other forms of organised crime and insecurity. The recovery of 604.5 kilogrammes of skunk from a single location has disrupted a major supply chain, potentially reducing the availability of the illicit substance in local communities. The public manhunt for the fleeing kingpin, Sunday, sends a clear message that the NDLEA will pursue those who profit from the misery of drug addiction, and that no amount of forest cover can protect them from the long arm of the law.
For the residents of Owan West and the wider Edo State, the operation offers a reprieve from the scourge of drugs that has fuelled crime and destroyed lives. The NDLEA has called on communities to be partners in this fight, urging them to report suspicious activities and support the agency's efforts. As the manhunt for the fleeing kingpin continues, the message from the NDLEA is clear: the war on drugs is far from over, and the agency is determined to win it.
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