The Edo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mitchell Ofoyeju, says the command arrested 49 suspected drug traffickers in July and promoted 73 officers in recognition of their dedication and outstanding performance.
Ofoyeju disclosed this during the decoration ceremony for the newly promoted personnel at the command’s headquarters in Benin City.
Ofoyeju revealed that 29 of the suspects arrested were women, while 20 were men, describing the trend as a reflection of increasing socio-economic vulnerability among women and the erosion of traditional family stability.
He said the command seized a total of 2,596.29 kilogrammes of illicit drugs during the month, including cannabis, psychotropic substances, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Operatives also recovered 15.3 litres of codeine cough syrup and 10 cylinders of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.
The commander added that three drug warehouses were uncovered—two in Benin City and one in Illushi—while two vehicles allegedly used to transport cannabis were intercepted. He also disclosed that officers destroyed a cannabis plantation measuring 0.640903 hectares in Egbisi Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, with an estimated yield of about 1,602.26 kilogrammes of cannabis.
Ofoyeju further said the command secured convictions in four drug-related cases during the period under review, describing the achievements as a reflection of the agency’s sustained campaign against drug trafficking in the state.
Congratulating the 73 promoted personnel, he urged them to see their elevation as a call to greater responsibility, stressing that promotion in the NDLEA is earned through diligence, integrity and commitment to service rather than being automatic.
