The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working with the Nigerian Army, has destroyed two cannabis plantations and arrested two suspects during an operation in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state. 

The operation was conducted on September 23, 2026, at Eko Camp, Illushi, where the two cannabis farms covered a combined area of 0.544092 hectares and had an estimated yield of 1,360.23kg of cannabis. The NDLEA also reported the destruction and recovery of 107kg of processed cannabis, including cannabis seeds.

The two suspects were identified as 43-year-old Ajeh Egwuda and Nonso Ajodhe. Both men are from Esan South-East Local Government Area. According to the Edo NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the suspects attributed their involvement in cannabis cultivation to poverty and negative peer influence.

Ofoyeju said Egwuda was found cultivating a farm measuring 0.068011 hectares, with an estimated yield of 170.03kg, while Ajodhe was allegedly cultivating a larger farm measuring 0.476081 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,190.20kg.

The NDLEA commander appealed to residents to provide timely information that could assist the agency in identifying and apprehending other people allegedly involved in cannabis cultivation and distribution networks in the state.