NDLEA arrests 42 suspected drug traffickers in Edo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, arrested 42 people for drug trafficking and seized 9,520 kg of illegal drugs in September 2026.

The command also named a suspected drug dealer, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, also known as Omega, as wanted after he escaped during an operation. His Toyota Matrix car and other items found in the vehicle were taken by the agency.

State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, shared this information in the command’s monthly report, which showed its work in drug enforcement, rehabilitation, and educating people about substance abuse.

Ofoyeju explained that the arrests came after operations based on intelligence, following orders from the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.).

He stated, “Out of the 42 suspects arrested, 22 are females, while 20 are males. One notorious drug dealer, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, who narrowly escaped arrest, has been declared wanted. His salesgirl, Ojugo Mercy, 26 years old, was caught with different drugs: Loud 989 grams, Colorado 13 grams, and methamphetamine 83 grams.

“Mudiaga reportedly ran away, leaving his black Toyota Matrix behind. Items taken from the car include 65 grams of cannabis and N1.16 million, along with 55 Ethiopian birr, which was recorded as an instrument of crime.

“Mudiaga can run, but he certainly has no hiding place because the command has been ordered by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer to find and prosecute him.”

Ofoyeju also raised concerns about the rising number of women involved in drug trafficking in the state.

According to him, the command seized 9,520 kg of illegal drugs that month, which included 9,248.2575 kg from destroyed cannabis farms and 271.92348 kg of other drugs that were intercepted.

He mentioned that the other drugs recovered included 245.29 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 25.97 kg of psychotropic substances, 0.66 kg of methamphetamine, and 62.6 liters of codeine syrup.

Ofoyeju stated that operatives found and destroyed 10 cannabis farms covering 3.699303 hectares, with an estimated yield of 9,248.2575 kg.

In addition to enforcement, he said the command secured three convictions and has 83 cases pending in different courts.

He added that the command has also provided counseling for 28 clients and offered vocational training in areas like tailoring, embroidery, and liquid soap production to help support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Ofoyeju said the command is dedicated to fighting drug trafficking and abuse in Edo State. He called for more support from stakeholders to tackle this issue.

Remember that on Sunday, NDLEA operatives intercepted container shipments of Loud, a potent type of cannabis, and codeine syrup valued at over N5 billion.

The agency noted that operatives at the Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne seaports made these arrests after months of tracking the shipments from their original ports.