The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has dismantled a notorious drug hub in Edo State, seizing 604.5 kilogrammes of cannabis and arresting nine suspected drug dealers in a series of operations across the state.
The joint operation, which took place on August 5, 2026, at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area, also triggered a manhunt for a suspected drug kingpin identified simply as Sunday, who reportedly fled the area shortly after security operatives stormed the location.
The NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, saying the operation yielded 65 bags of dried cannabis.
According to him, the seized substance was subjected to testing and confirmed to be skunk cannabis, with a total weight of 604.5kg.
“The operation carried out by men of the NDLEA and personnel of the Nigerian Army resulted in the seizure of 65 bags of dried weeds that tested positive for skunk cannabis, weighing 604.5kg,” Ofoyeju said.
He said the agency had intensified efforts to locate Sunday, whom he described as the suspected kingpin behind the drug operation, insisting that the suspect would eventually be apprehended.
“We are tracking the suspected drug kingpin, one Sunday, who is in hiding following the recovery of the 604.5kg of cannabis in the operation. He has nowhere to hide because we will certainly apprehend him,” the commander said.
The operation formed part of wider anti-narcotics activities carried out by the agency across Edo State, during which nine suspected drug dealers were arrested at different drug hotspots.
The suspects, according to the NDLEA, comprised five men and four women, with ages ranging from 17 to 58.
Among them was 58-year-old Musa Muhammed, a grandfather from Bauchi State, who was allegedly found in possession of 280 grammes of Cannabis sativa, 35 grammes of Loud and 1.4 grammes of Colorado.
Another suspect, 55-year-old Ebere Anthony from Delta State, was allegedly arrested with 1.5kg of Cannabis sativa.
The agency also listed 31-year-old Gift Oliseyenum, also from Delta State, who was allegedly found with 74 grammes of Cannabis sativa, 45 grammes of Loud, 2.5 grammes of Colorado and 4.7 grammes of methamphetamine.
A 27-year-old suspect, Boniface George, was allegedly arrested with 195 grammes of Cannabis sativa, while 28-year-old Muzamilu Mustapha of Katsina State was allegedly found with 40 grammes of Loud and 80 grammes of Cannabis sativa.
Other suspects identified by the NDLEA included 27-year-old Faustina Peter and 36-year-old Chucks Odili, both from Delta State.
Peter was allegedly found with 35 grammes of Loud, 10 grammes of Colorado and 0.8 grammes of methamphetamine, while Odili was allegedly arrested with 1kg of Cannabis sativa, 65 grammes of Loud and 15 grammes of Colorado.
The agency also arrested 17-year-old Anna Agbona from Edo State, who was allegedly found in possession of 25 grammes of Tramadol.
The ninth suspect, 42-year-old Julius Enebuli from Delta State, was allegedly caught with 1kg of Cannabis sativa, 65 grammes of Loud and 15 grammes of Colorado.
Ofoyeju described the seizures and arrests as a major boost to the NDLEA’s campaign against illicit drug trafficking and abuse in Edo State.
He said the agency would continue to investigate suspected drug networks, trace those behind the distribution of illicit substances and prosecute arrested suspects in accordance with the law.
The commander also appealed to residents to provide credible information that could help security agencies track down the fleeing suspect and dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across the state.
With more than 600kg of cannabis recovered in a single raid and a suspected kingpin still at large, the operation has once again exposed the scale of organised drug activity operating beneath the surface in parts of Edo State.