The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has taken two men into custody after officers intercepted vehicles reportedly transporting large quantities of cannabis along the Benin–Akure Road.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the state commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed that the arrests occurred on November 13 during a routine patrol by NDLEA operatives.
According to him, “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command has intercepted two vehicles loaded with cannabis sativa during a motorised patrol along the Benin–Akure Road. Both vehicles allegedly took off from the Uyere community in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area, heading towards Benin City, when they were caught.”
Ofoyeju noted that the vehicles were seized as part of the investigation, describing them as instruments used in committing the crime.
He explained that the first vehicle—a Mercedes-Benz V-Boot with registration number DE311BEN—carried “38 bags of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis, weighing 494kg.” The driver, Felix Edah, a 45-year-old man from Delta State, was arrested at Ugbogiobo community and taken to the NDLEA office in Benin City for questioning.
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In a separate operation the same day, officers apprehended another suspect, Lucky Abagha, 51, who was also driving a Mercedes-Benz V-Boot, this time with registration number JJJ 56 JW. Ofoyeju said the car was “loaded with 46 bags of cannabis sativa, weighing a total of 552 kilograms.” Abagha was likewise detained for further interrogation.
Ofoyeju confirmed that both cases remain under investigation, stressing that the agency is intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking as the festive season approaches.
“These arrests are part of our ongoing efforts to tackle drug-related crimes and dismantle trafficking networks operating within Edo State, especially as we approach the yuletide season,” he said.
The NDLEA also encouraged residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious drug-related activities, describing public involvement as essential in the fight against narcotics.