The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State has intercepted two articulated trucks transporting 7,245 kilogrammes of skunk cannabis and arrested five suspects in connection with the haul.
The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed this while presenting the confiscated drugs—estimated at ₦724.5 million—and the vehicles to journalists. He explained that the operation followed 72 hours of intelligence gathering and surveillance, culminating in the interception on April 11, 2026.
Ofoyeju described the seizure as unprecedented for the command, noting it was the first time two trucks loaded with illicit drugs were intercepted simultaneously. He said the breakthrough significantly disrupted an inter-state drug trafficking network.
“This interception sends a clear message that Edo State is not a safe haven for drug trafficking. The volume—over seven metric tonnes—shows both the scale of the threat and the success of our intelligence-led operations,” he stated.
He added that the operation aligns with the zero-tolerance directive of NDLEA Chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa.
Acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives stopped the trucks along the Auchi–Abuja Road. The vehicles, which initially appeared to be carrying cartons of beer, were found to be concealing bags of processed cannabis. Field tests later confirmed the substance as skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.
One of the trucks, with registration number OYO LUY 172 XC, contained 260 bags weighing 3,900 kilogrammes, while the second, OYO LUY 281 XC, carried 223 bags weighing 3,345 kilogrammes—bringing the total to 483 bags.
The suspects—Ibrahim Abu, Abu Abdullazeez, Jibril Jaminu, Andrew Moses, and Ganiyu Abu—are all from Etsako East and Etsako West local government areas of Edo State.
Preliminary investigations indicate the consignment originated from Sabongida-Ora and was destined for Abuja before it was intercepted.
The trucks and seized drugs have since been moved to the NDLEA command headquarters in Benin City for further investigation and are expected to be forfeited as instruments of crime.
Ofoyeju confirmed that efforts are ongoing to dismantle the wider trafficking network and bring all those involved to justice. He also urged members of the public to provide timely information to support the agency’s fight against drug-related crimes.
The suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement, claiming they were promised ₦10,000 per parcel upon successful delivery.
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