Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have destroyed five cannabis plantations measuring 2.269668 hectares, with an estimated yield of 5,674.17 kilogrammes.
Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Ofoyeju said the operatives also arrested three suspected traffickers and intercepted significant quantities of psychotropic substances, including tramadol, codeine cough syrups and diazepam, while charms and knives were recovered during the operations.
He said two plantations measuring 0.928744 hectares at Monday Camp, Usen Forest, Ovia South West Local Government Area, another two measuring 1.004278 hectares at Igwe-Oke Forest, Owan East Local Government Area, and one measuring 0.336646 hectares at Ogboha Forest in Owan West Local Government Area were destroyed.
He added that 39-year-old Sunday Segun and 25-year-old Jamie Zubaru were arrested, while one Hassan Mohammed was arrested at Bob-Izua Park, New Road, Okada town, with three deadly knives and charms during the operations.
According to him, the fight against psychotropic substances has recorded significant progress.
“In a patrol operation in Auchi, NDLEA officers intercepted a vehicle containing a large quantity of assorted illicit drugs.
“The haul included 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 50,000 capsules of Tramadol 100 mg, 100 tablets of Tramadol 225 mg, and 25,000 tablets of Diazepam,” he added.
Ofoyeju, who lamented that cannabis farms are gradually taking over the forests, called on local government chairmen to collaborate with the NDLEA to stem the illicit cultivation of the substance.
“We cannot continue this way because what began as a little garden is turning into a large plantation. These farms were destroyed in the past two weeks.
“Chairmen of local government councils are closer to the people, and we need their active collaboration,” he stated.
He assured that the NDLEA Edo State Command remains committed to its mandate of eliminating illicit drug trade, enhancing public safety and promoting community health.
NDLEA destroys five cannabis plantations with 5.674kg estimated yield in Edo