The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 73,463.21 kilogrammes of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances valued at approximately N2.8 billion in Edo State.
The public destruction exercise took place on Thursday in Benin City and was attended by representatives of the Edo State Government, members of the National Assembly, NDLEA officials, security stakeholders, and other government representatives.
According to the agency, the destroyed substances were largely cannabis, which accounted for more than 73,000 kilogrammes of the total volume.
Other narcotics destroyed included psychotropic substances such as tramadol, diazepam, and codeine syrup, as well as smaller quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.
Speaking at the event, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), represented by the agency’s Director of Operations and General Investigation, Suleiman Ningi, described the exercise as a demonstration of the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks across the country.
“The illicit drugs being destroyed today amount to 73,463.21 kilogrammes and are valued at N2.8bn,” Marwa stated.
He said the exercise goes beyond the physical destruction of narcotics and reflects a broader national effort to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse, which he linked to insecurity and social instability.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, 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 central to addressing criminality, kidnapping, banditry, and public health challenges.
“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,” she said.
Also speaking, Senator Joseph Ikpea, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, commended the NDLEA for its efforts in intercepting and destroying illicit drugs and pledged continued legislative support for stronger enforcement frameworks and improved funding.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, highlighted recent operational successes, including seizures of drugs concealed in vehicles, trucks, and unusual hiding places such as shrines, as well as arrests of suspected traffickers across different demographics.
The Edo destruction exercise forms part of a wider national anti-drug campaign that has seen multiple large-scale operations in recent years.
In April 2026, the NDLEA secured an interim forfeiture order for opioids valued at over N33.6 billion intercepted at Onne Port in Rivers State between April and September 2025. Earlier, containers worth N9.3 billion in opioids and codeine syrup were also seized at the same port.
Other agencies, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), have similarly intensified crackdowns, seizing counterfeit and substandard products worth billions of naira.
In Edo State alone, the NDLEA reported seizing illicit drugs valued at over N1.8 billion and arresting 104 suspected traffickers in the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the scale of the ongoing drug enforcement campaign in the region.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustained operations aimed at reducing drug availability, disrupting trafficking networks, and addressing the wider security implications of substance abuse in Nigeria.
