NDLEA, Army seize 604.5kg cannabis, hunt Edo drug kingpin

August 11, 2026 12:51 am

NDLEA, Army seize 604.5kg cannabis, hunt Edo drug kingpin

NDLEA boss, Marwa. Photo: File

By  Adeyinka Adedipe

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with personnel from the Nigerian Army, has recovered 65 bags of skunk cannabis, 604.5kg, in a raid in the state.

The state NDLEA commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the raid was carried out at a notorious drug hub in Ewe Luleha, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, on August 5, 2026.

He said the command had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspected drug kingpin identified as Sunday, noting that he would be arrested soon.

“The operation carried out by men of the NDLEA and personnel of the Nigerian Army resulted in the seizure of 65 bags of dried weeds that tested positive for skunk cannabis, weighing 604.5kg.

“We are tracking the suspected drug kingpin, one Sunday, who is in hiding following the recovery of the 604.5kg of cannabis in the operation. He has nowhere to hide because we will certainly apprehend him.”

In a separate operation to rid the state of illicit drugs, Ofoyeju said nine suspected drug peddlers were apprehended across various hotspots in the state.

Among the arrested was Musa Muhammed, a 58-year-old grandfather, alongside eight others (four males and four females) who were found in possession of assorted illicit substances.

He said that Musa, who hails from Bauchi, was caught with Cannabis sativa: 280 grams, Loud: 35 grams, Colorado: 1.4 grams; Ebere Anthony, 55 years old, from Delta, was arrested with Cannabis sativa: 1.5kg; Gift Oliseyenum, 31 years old, from Delta, was caught with Cannabis sativa: 74 grams, Loud: 45 grams, Colorado: 2.5 grams, methamphetamine: 4.7 grams; Boniface George, 27 years old, from Delta, was found with Cannabis sativa: 195 grams; and Muzamilu Mustapha, 28 years old, from Katsina, was arrested with Loud: 40 grams and Cannabis sativa: 80 grams.

Others, according to Ofoyeju, are Faustina Peter, 27 years old, and Chucks Odili, 36 years old, both from Delta, who were found with Loud: 35 grams, Colorado: 10 grams and methamphetamine: 0.8 grams; Anna Agbona, 17 years old, from Edo State, was caught with Tramado: 25 grams; and Julius Enebuli, 42 years old, from Delta, was caught with Cannabis sativa: 1 kilogram, Loud: 65 grams and Colorado: 15 grams.

The commander commended the substantial impact of the operation in the ongoing battle against narcotics in the state. He emphasised that the fight against drug trafficking remains a top priority for the agency and assured the public of ongoing investigations into drug-related activities and diligent prosecution within the state.

“These arrests and drug seizures do not only highlight the efforts of law enforcement but also signify the increasing need for community involvement in reporting illicit activities, as the agency continues its mission to rid society of drug-related issues.

“I urge members of the public to provide any information that may lead to the apprehension of the fleeing suspect and to support ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State,” Ofoyeju added.

Adeyinka Adedipe

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