NDLEA Nabs 49 Suspected Drug Traffickers in Edo, Promotes 73 Officers
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 49 suspected drug traffickers during a series of operations across Edo State, while also decorating 73 newly promoted officers in recognition of their service.
The State Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the development during the promotion ceremony held at the command headquarters in Benin City. He revealed that the command confiscated 2,596.29 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs during its July operations, describing the seizures as another major step in the agency’s fight against drug trafficking.
Ofoyeju expressed concern over the demographic pattern of those arrested, noting that 29 of the 49 suspects were women, while 20 were men. According to him, the increasing involvement of women in illicit drug activities reflects deeper socio-economic challenges and signals a worrying shift in the state’s drug trafficking landscape. He urged residents to support the agency by providing credible intelligence capable of disrupting drug networks before they expand further.
The commander said the agency remains committed to strengthening its operations through intelligence-led enforcement, community engagement and inter-agency collaboration. He commended officers and men of the Edo Command for their professionalism and dedication, stating that the promotion of 73 personnel was both a reward for outstanding performance and a motivation for greater commitment to the agency’s mandate of combating drug abuse and trafficking.
Addressing the newly promoted officers, Ofoyeju urged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties. He reminded them that their new ranks come with greater responsibilities and called on them to intensify efforts against drug dealers and criminal syndicates operating within the state. He also reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain aggressive enforcement operations while expanding public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing drug abuse, particularly among young people.
The latest arrests add to a series of recent anti-narcotics operations carried out by the Edo State Command as the NDLEA continues to tighten its grip on illicit drug trafficking. Agency officials maintained that ongoing intelligence gathering, improved operational strategies and public cooperation remain critical to dismantling drug distribution networks and ensuring safer communities across the state.
