The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 271.923kg of illicit drugs during enforcement operations across the state in September 2026.

The command also declared Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, popularly known as Omega, wanted after he allegedly escaped arrest during an operation.

The Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the figures while presenting the command’s monthly operational scorecard, which covered drug enforcement, rehabilitation and substance-abuse prevention activities.

According to Ofoyeju, the arrests followed intelligence-led operations conducted under the directive of the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.).

Wanted Suspect’s Vehicle, Cash Seized

Ofoyeju said 22 of the 42 suspects arrested during the month were women, while 20 were men.

He identified Odeh as a suspected drug trafficker who allegedly escaped during an operation, prompting the agency to declare him wanted.

The commander said operatives arrested Odeh’s 26-year-old salesgirl, Ojugo Mercy, during the operation. She was allegedly found with 989 grammes of Loud, 13 grammes of Colorado and 83 grammes of methamphetamine.

Odeh reportedly fled, abandoning his black Toyota Matrix. Operatives subsequently recovered 65 grammes of cannabis, ₦1.16 million and 55 Ethiopian birr from the vehicle.

The items were documented as exhibits, according to the commander.

Ofoyeju said the command had been directed to locate Odeh and bring him to justice.

Ten Cannabis Farms Destroyed

The NDLEA commander said the command seized a total of 9,520kg of illicit substances during September, including cannabis plantations destroyed across the state.

He explained that 9,248.2575kg represented the estimated yield from destroyed cannabis farms, while 271.92348kg comprised other illicit drugs intercepted during operations.

The intercepted substances included 245.29kg of cannabis sativa, 25.97kg of psychotropic substances and 0.66kg of methamphetamine. Operatives also seized 62.6 litres of codeine syrup.

Ofoyeju said the agency identified and destroyed 10 cannabis farms covering approximately 3.7 hectares, with an estimated yield of more than 9,248kg of cannabis.

He also expressed concern over what he described as increasing involvement of women in illicit drug trafficking in the state.

Three Convictions, 83 Cases Pending

Beyond arrests and seizures, the command secured three convictions during the reporting period, while 83 cases remained pending before various courts.

The agency also provided counselling to 28 people struggling with drug dependence.

As part of its rehabilitation efforts, the command offered vocational training in tailoring, embroidery and liquid soap production to help participants develop practical skills and reintegrate into society.

Ofoyeju said the command would continue its enforcement, rehabilitation and drug-abuse prevention programmes, while calling for greater support from stakeholders in tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse in Edo State.