NDLEA, Army destroy cannabis farms, arrest two suspects in Edo

NDLEA officials. Photo: File

A joint operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, and the Nigerian Army has led to the destruction of two cannabis plantations measuring 0.544092 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,360.23kg.

The operatives also destroyed 107kg of processed cannabis, including cannabis seeds, at Eko Camp, Illushi, in the Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.

The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operation was carried out on September 23, 2026.

He said two male suspects, Ajeh Egwuda, 43, and Nonso Ajodhe, were arrested during the operation, adding that both suspects were from the Esan South-East Local Government Area.

According to Ofoyeju, the suspects claimed that poverty and the negative influence of friends drove them into cannabis cultivation.

He said Egwuda was found cultivating a cannabis farm measuring 0.068011 hectares, with an estimated yield of 170.03kg, while Ajodhe was found with a larger plantation measuring 0.476081 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,190.20kg.

Ofoyeju said, “Together, the two farms measured 0.544092 hectares, yielding a combined total of 1,360.23kg of cannabis sativa. In addition, 107kg of processed cannabis, including cannabis seeds, were recovered at the farm.”

He described the operation as part of the command’s efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

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He said, “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.”

Ofoyeju expressed the command’s commitment to tackling the drug problem in the state, adding that it would continue to collaborate with the military and other stakeholders to dismantle drug networks.

He said, “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 the armed forces and other stakeholders to dismantle drug networks and reduce the impact of these illicit substances on our society.”

The commander thanked the Commanding Officer, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Balogun, for supporting drug enforcement efforts in the state.

He said the command would intensify its partnership with traditional rulers, community leaders and sister security agencies in Esan South-East and other affected areas.

Ofoyeju also appealed to residents to provide timely information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the alleged cannabis networks.