Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, working alongside military personnel, have destroyed two cannabis plantations covering 0.544092 hectares in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state. According to a report by Punch, the operation, conducted on September 23, 2026, also led to the destruction……
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, working alongside military personnel, have destroyed two cannabis plantations covering 0.544092 hectares in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.
According to a report by Punch, the operation, conducted on September 23, 2026, also led to the destruction of 107kg of processed cannabis, including cannabis seeds, at Eko Camp, Illushi.
The Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying two suspects were arrested during the operation.
The suspects were identified as 43-year-old Ajeh Egwuda and Nonso Ajodhe, both from Esan South-East Local Government Area.
According to Ofoyeju, the suspects attributed their involvement in cannabis cultivation to poverty and the influence of friends.
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He said Ajeh was found cultivating a cannabis farm measuring 0.068011 hectares, with an estimated yield of 170.03kg, while Nonso was linked to a larger plantation covering 0.476081 hectares and estimated to yield 1,190.20kg.
“Together, the two farms measured 0.544092 hectares, yielding a combined total of 1,360.23kg of cannabis sativa. In addition, processed cannabis recovered at the farm includes 107kg, including cannabis seeds.”
Ofoyeju said the operation demonstrated the agency’s continued efforts to tackle drug abuse and trafficking across the state.
“The operation underscores the relentless commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State.
“Let this operation serve as a strong warning to those who see our forests and farmlands as bases for criminal enterprise. The NDLEA Edo State Command will not rest until cannabis cultivation is rooted out of our communities.
“We are combining intelligence-driven surveillance, community engagement, and decisive enforcement in this campaign,” the commander stated.
The NDLEA commander further reaffirmed the agency’s determination to reduce the impact of illicit drugs on communities in Edo State.
“This operation is not just a show of our capability but also reflects our unwavering determination to protect our communities from the harms of drug abuse and trafficking.
“We will continue to collaborate with armed forces and other stakeholders to dismantle drug networks and reduce the impact of these illicit substances on our society,” he stated.
Ofoyeju also commended the Commanding Officer of the Nigeria Army 4 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Balogun, for supporting the drug enforcement operation.
He said the command would strengthen its collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders and other security agencies in Esan South-East and other areas affected by cannabis cultivation.
The commander urged residents to provide timely information that could assist security agencies in identifying and arresting other members of cannabis cultivation and trafficking networks.
