The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers and seized 271.92348kg of illicit drugs in September 2026.

The command also declared a suspected drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, wanted after he allegedly escaped arrest during an operation. His Toyota Matrix car, drugs and cash were subsequently seized.

The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this while presenting the command’s monthly operational scorecard, which highlighted its enforcement, rehabilitation and drug-abuse prevention activities.

Ofoyeju said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations conducted in line with the mandate of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.).

He said, “Out of the 42 suspects arrested, 22 are females, while 20 are males.

“One suspected notorious drug trafficker, Gospel Mudiaga Odeh, aka Omega, who narrowly escaped arrest, has been declared wanted. His salesgirl, Ojugo Mercy, 26 years old, was arrested with assorted drugs: 989 grammes of Loud, 13 grammes of Colorado and 83 grammes of methamphetamine.”

According to him, Mudiaga fled, abandoning his black Toyota Matrix, in which operatives recovered 65 grammes of cannabis, N1.16m and 55 Ethiopian birr, which were documented as exhibits.

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

He expressed concern over the increasing involvement of women in illicit drug trafficking in the state.

Ofoyeju said the command seized 9,520kg of illicit substances during the month, comprising 9,248.2575kg of cannabis plantations destroyed and 271.92348kg of other drugs intercepted.

The intercepted drugs included 245.29kg of cannabis sativa, 25.97kg of psychotropic substances and 0.66kg of methamphetamine, while 62.6 litres of codeine syrup were also seized.

He said the command identified and destroyed 10 cannabis farms covering 3.699303 hectares, with an estimated yield of 9,248.2575kg.

According to him, the operations demonstrated the command’s efforts to tackle drug trafficking and the cultivation of illicit substances in the state.

Ofoyeju added that the command secured three convictions and had 83 ongoing cases.

He said the command also counselled 28 drug-dependent clients and provided vocational training in skills including tailoring, embroidery and liquid soap production to facilitate their reintegration into society.

The state commander said the command remained committed to combating drug trafficking and substance abuse in Edo State, while calling for greater support from stakeholders to address the challenges. (The PUNCH)