A total of 73,463.21 kg of illegal narcotics with a street value of N2.8 billion were destroyed in Edo State by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Idogbo in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were destroyed, according to Footynaija.
The chemicals were destroyed by a number of individuals, including Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, who is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, a representative of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and chiefs of other security agencies in the state.
Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, commander of the anti-drug agency’s Edo State command, took the stage at the occasion to explain that the public destruction of the illicit substances was carried out in accordance with an order from the Federal High Court, Benin City.
According to Ofoyeju, the destroyed exhibits contained 73,210.23 kg of cannabis sativa and 246.36 kg of psychotropic substances, including 141.81 kg of tramadol, 8.4258 kg of diazepam, and 61.7652 kg of codeine cough syrup. The estimated street value of these items was N2.8 billion.
The remaining quantities included 2.662 kg of methamphetamine, 3.7441 kg of cocaine, and 0.2168 kg of heroin.
According to him, the command stopped drug-laden automobiles and articulated lorries during the operations that resulted in the seizures.
We have located and eradicated cannabis fields and illegal drug storage facilities. We have found narcotics stashed in shrines and captured both sexes, regardless of age. While we have been the target of gun violence while on duty, it will not stop us from carrying out our mission.
“If we do not safeguard our children from drug and substance abuse, it does not matter if we provide them with money, the best schools, good food, and clothing. We have truly given them nothing,” he stated.
The ceremony, he said, was the culmination of the command’s unrelenting, intelligence-led operations. In addition, he said that the destruction ceremony demonstrated the magnificence of what can be accomplished when a dedicated government, an ambitious agency, and an active public work together.
Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, speaking as the keynote speaker, characterised the gathering as a statement of unity in the fight against drug misuse.
Under the leadership of Deputy Commander-General of Narcotics Ahmed Suleiman Ningi, Director of Operations and General Investigation, Marwa expressed gratitude to the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo for their support, highlighting the allocation of 20 plots of land for the construction of a model State Command Headquarters.
Additionally, he said that this action demonstrates Governor Okpebholo’s administration’s recognition of the need for infrastructure, institutional capacity, and long-term commitment in the fight against narcotics.
He lauded the command’s officers and soldiers for their courage, perseverance, alertness when threatened, endurance through hardship, and unwavering loyalty to the agency’s mission.
“The nation you serve is grateful to you, and you have my utmost admiration and respect,” he said.
In his remarks, the special guest of honour, Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo State, compared the fight against narcotics to the fight against crime.
The event, according to Okpebholo, who was accompanied by Mrs. Edesili Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State and Chairperson of the State Drug Control Committee, should not be seen as an occasion for mere celebration but rather as an opportunity for serious introspection and reaffirmation of the fight.
A battle for the very essence of our country is the war on drugs. The dangers of drug usage to one’s health and the fight against crime, kidnapping, and banditry are all fronts in this conflict, he said.
While assuring the NDLEA of ongoing cooperation, Okpebholo detailed his administration’s plans to build a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center for those overcoming substance abuse problems.
But he threatened drug traffickers with dire consequences, declaring, “Drug traffickers must leave Edo State because we are coming for them, and we will not relent until every gram of illicit substance is seized and destroyed.”
According to Ikpea, who is standing in for the Edo Central Senatorial District, every kilo of cocaine, bag of cannabis, and sachet of tramadol and codeine that is seized and destroyed is a life saved from the terrible clutches of drug abuse.
Your work is risky and underfunded most of the time, but you keep going nevertheless. He promised that they would keep fighting for more support, resources, and protections for your operations in the courts.