The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered three suspected drug warehouses and recovered more than 2.5 tonnes of illicit substances during operations across Edo State.
The agency said its operatives seized a total of 2,596.29 kilograms of assorted narcotics in July 2026.
Edo State NDLEA Commander, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, announced the development on Thursday in Benin City during a ceremony held to decorate 73 newly promoted officers.
According to Ofoyeju, 49 suspected drug traffickers were arrested during a series of major intelligence-led operations conducted across the state.
The three warehouses were reportedly discovered in Benin City and Illushi, a community in Esan South-East Local Government Area.
Operatives also intercepted two vehicles suspected of being used to transport cannabis as part of efforts to disrupt drug distribution networks operating in Edo.
The vehicles were identified as a Toyota Sienna with registration number NND 975 AG and a Toyota Camry with registration number BEN 503 BK.
Cannabis sativa accounted for most of the drugs recovered, with operatives seizing approximately 2,588.4kg.
Other substances recovered included 6.13kg of psychotropic drugs, 1.68kg of methamphetamine, 0.071kg of cocaine and 0.005kg of heroin.
The NDLEA command also seized 15.3 litres of codeine-based cough syrup and 10 cylinders of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas.
Ofoyeju said women represented the majority of those arrested during the operations. Of the 49 suspects, 29 were women and 20 were men.
He described the figures as troubling, saying they could indicate increased socio-economic vulnerability among women and weakening family support systems.
The commander said the agency was developing programmes focused on family values and public reorientation to address the growing involvement of women in drug-related offences.
As part of the July operations, NDLEA officers also destroyed a suspected cannabis plantation covering 0.640903 hectares in Egbisi Forest, Abudu, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
The agency estimated that the plantation could have produced approximately 1,602.26kg of cannabis if it had reached harvest.
Ofoyeju said the destruction of the farm had dealt another major setback to illegal cannabis cultivation and drug production in Edo State.
The command also secured four convictions in drug-related cases during the period under review.
In addition to enforcement activities, 24 people experiencing drug use disorders received counselling and were reunited with their families through the NDLEA rehabilitation programme.
One of the suspects, identified as 30-year-old Osas Ogieva, was reportedly arrested with a Toyota Sienna carrying 43 bags of cannabis weighing 468kg.
The suspect allegedly told investigators that he had only been hired to transport the consignment.
Speaking during the promotion ceremony, Ofoyeju praised the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, for maintaining a regular promotion system within the agency.
He said the policy had improved staff motivation, strengthened operational effectiveness and encouraged officers to confront organised drug trafficking networks.
Ofoyeju urged the 73 newly promoted personnel to uphold integrity, support junior officers and maintain zero tolerance for corruption.
He also called on them to remain committed to the agency’s campaign against drug trafficking, illicit cultivation and substance abuse in Nigeria.
