The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday said it intercepted controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol weighing 748.02kg, on the Benin-Lagos Expressway.
The NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement while presenting the latest operational breakthrough to journalists in Benin.
He said, “On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the command’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking culminated in the interception of a Mercedes-Benz truck branded with the Nigeria Labour Congress insignia and bearing the registration number Federal Capital Territory NLC 146 FC.
“The truck was found with 95 cartons containing 1.196 million capsules and tablets of psychotropic substances en route from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State.
“Two suspected members of the drug cartel, Osagie Igbinibo, aged 43, and Omijie Malik, aged 44, were also apprehended in connection with the seizure.
“The intercepted truck was found to be transporting a total of 748.02 kilograms of controlled substances.
“The seizure included 23 cartons of tramadol 100mg (440,000 capsules, weighing 264kg); 40 cartons of tramadol 50mg (600,000 capsules, weighing 180kg); seven cartons of Rohypnol (84,000 tablets, weighing 25.2kg); 19 cartons of diazepam injection (76,000 ampoules, weighing 242.82kg); and six cartons of bromazepam (72,000 tablets, weighing 36kg), bringing the total to 748.02 kilogrammes.”
Ofoyeju said the truck was intercepted during a routine motorised patrol, underscoring the NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks threatening public health and safety.
The commander expressed concern over the potential impact of such drug shipments on communities.
“The trafficking of high volumes of controlled drugs, particularly potent opioids like tramadol, poses a dire threat to our youth and society at large. These substances are linked to addiction, health emergencies, and even fatalities.
“The NDLEA remains vigilant in its mission to eradicate drug abuse, and traffickers must understand that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” he said.
He added that the suspects are currently in custody and that investigations are ongoing, noting that they will be charged in court soon.
Ofoyeju also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities related to drug trafficking and use, while pledging continued collaboration with stakeholders, including community leaders, families, and individuals.
He noted that the operation aligns with the directive of the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), to take proactive measures against interstate drug trafficking in the country.
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