Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Edo State Command, in collaboration with military personnel, have destroyed two cannabis plantations in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, carried out on September 23, 2026, at Eko Camp, Illushi, resulted in the destruction of cannabis farms covering a combined 0.544092 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,360.23 kilogrammes of cannabis.
The joint team also destroyed 107kg of processed cannabis, including cannabis seeds, recovered from the plantations.
The Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, adding that two suspects were arrested during the operation.
The suspects were identified as 43-year-old Ajeh Egwuda and Nonso Ajodhe. Both men are from Esan South-East Local Government Area.
According to Ofoyeju, Egwuda was arrested while cultivating a cannabis farm measuring 0.068011 hectares, with an estimated yield of 170.03kg.
Ajodhe, on the other hand, was found cultivating a larger plantation measuring 0.476081 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,190.20kg.
“Together, the two farms measured 0.544092 hectares, yielding a combined total of 1,360.23kg of cannabis sativa. In addition, processed cannabis recovered at the farm includes 107kg, including cannabis seeds,” the commander said.
Ofoyeju said preliminary interactions with the suspects indicated that they claimed to have ventured into cannabis cultivation because of poverty and the influence of friends.
He described the operation as part of the command’s sustained efforts to curb cannabis cultivation, drug trafficking and abuse across Edo State.
He warned individuals using forests and farmlands as bases for illicit drug-related activities to desist, stressing that the command would continue to target cannabis cultivation sites.
“The operation underscores the relentless commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State,” he said.
The commander added that the command was combining intelligence-led surveillance, community engagement and enforcement operations to disrupt illicit drug networks.
He said the NDLEA would continue to collaborate with the military and other security agencies to dismantle drug networks and reduce the impact of illicit substances on communities.
Ofoyeju also commended the Commanding Officer, Nigeria Army 4 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Balogun, for supporting the joint operation and other drug enforcement efforts in the state.
He further said the command would strengthen its partnership with traditional rulers, community leaders and sister security agencies, particularly in Esan South-East and other areas identified as vulnerable to cannabis cultivation.
The NDLEA commander urged residents to provide timely information that could assist security agencies in identifying and arresting other individuals allegedly involved in cannabis cultivation and trafficking in the state.
