The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 9,520kg of illicit substances in September 2026. The command also declared a suspected drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, wanted after he reportedly escaped arrest during an operation. His Toyota Matrix car and other exhibits recovered from the vehicle were subsequently confiscated.
According to the State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the arrests followed intelligence-led operations carried out in line with directives from the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.). Out of the 42 suspects arrested, 22 are females, while 20 are males. Ofoyeju said the command had been mandated by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer to find and prosecute Mudiaga.
Mudiaga reportedly fled, leaving behind his black Toyota Matrix car, which had 65 grams of cannabis and N1.16 million, as well as 55 Ethiopian birr, documented as an instrument of crime. His salesgirl, Ojugo Mercy, 26 years old, was nabbed with assorted drugs: Loud 989 grams, Colorado 13 grams and methamphetamine 83 grams. The command expressed concern over the increasing involvement of women in illicit drug trafficking in the state.
The command seized 9,520kg of illicit substances during the month, comprising 9,248.2575kg of cannabis plantations destroyed and 271.92348kg of other illicit drugs intercepted. The substances recovered included 245.29kg of Cannabis Sativa, 25.97kg of psychotropic substances, 0.66kg of methamphetamine and 62.6 litres of codeine syrup.
Operatives identified and destroyed 10 cannabis farms covering 3.699303 hectares, with an estimated yield of 9,248.2575kg. Beyond enforcement, the command secured three convictions and had 83 cases pending before various courts. The command also provided counselling for 28 clients and offered vocational training in areas including tailoring, embroidery and liquid soap production.
The training was part of efforts to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of the clients into society. Ofoyeju said the command remained committed to tackling drug trafficking and abuse in Edo State, while calling for greater support from stakeholders to address the problem. The NDLEA had previously intercepted container consignments of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and codeine-based syrup worth over N5 billion.
The agency noted that the operatives at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne seaports made the arrest, following months of intelligence and tracking the movement of the shipments from their original ports of origin. The NDLEA's efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse in Edo State are ongoing, with the command working to bring suspected drug traffickers to justice.
Key points
- The NDLEA arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 9,520kg of illicit substances in September 2026.
- A suspected drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, was declared wanted after escaping arrest during an operation.
- The command provided counselling for 28 clients and offered vocational training to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
