The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has seized 483 bags of cannabis worth about N724.5m on Saturday.
The Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Benin City, adding that operatives also arrested five suspects in connection with the seizure.
Ofoyeju said 483 bags of cannabis, weighing 7,245 kilogrammes, were concealed in two articulated trucks used for transporting alcoholic drinks.
He gave the names of the suspects arrested as Ibrahim Abu, 29; Abu Abdullazeez, 28; Jibril Jaminu, 35; Andrew Moses, 22; and Ganiyu Abu, 21. They are all males and indigenes of the Etsako East and Etsako West Local Government Areas of Edo State.
He said, “The Edo State Command of the NDLEA has recorded a monumental operational success with the interception of two articulated trucks laden with 7,245 kilograms of skunk cannabis and the arrest of five suspected drug traffickers.
“The estimated street value of the drugs is N724.5m. This is the first time in the history of the command that two trucks laden with illicit drugs are being intercepted at a time, thereby disrupting an inter-state drug trafficking network.”
Ofoyeju described the operation as a major breakthrough, saying it reflects the command’s commitment and operational efficiency.
According to him, the interception sends a strong message to drug barons and traffickers that Edo State is not a haven for criminal activities, noting that the scale of the seizure highlights the magnitude of the threat the agency is confronting.
He added, “A breakdown reveals that the first truck, with registration number OYO LUY 172 XC, contained 260 bags weighing 3,900 kilograms. The second truck, OYO LUY 281 XC, carried 223 bags weighing 3,345 kilograms. The combined haul totalled 483 bags with a gross weight of 7,245 kilograms.
“The suspects arrested in connection with the illicit consignment are as follows: Ibrahim Abu, 29; Abu Abdullazeez, 28; Jibril Jaminu, 35; Andrew Moses, 22; and Ganiyu Abu, 21. All the suspects are males and indigenes of the Etsako East and Etsako West Local Government Areas of Edo State.
“Preliminary investigation indicates the shipment originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West LGA and was destined for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before interception. The potential damage it would have caused to the FCT and the entire North Central region, had it gone through, is better imagined.
“The trucks and exhibits have been moved to the command headquarters in Benin City for further documentation and investigation, which has commenced in earnest. Both trucks will be confiscated as instruments of drug trafficking.”
The commander assured the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing to uncover the network behind the trafficking and bring all those involved to justice. He also called for continued public support through timely information sharing to aid the agency’s operations.
Ofoyeju reiterated that the operation aligns with the strategic mandate and zero-tolerance directive of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.).
🚨 BREAKING: Watch the full clip here ➤
