The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said no fewer than 289 suspected drug traffickers have been arrested in Edo State since January 2026.

Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this during the commemoration of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Benin City.

The theme of the event was “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”

Ofoyeju said that of the 289 suspects arrested, 176 were males and 113 were females.

He added that a total of 52 suspects were convicted, comprising 47 males and five females.

He also disclosed that a total of 35,008.38 kilograms of cannabis was seized.

The NDLEA state commander said the seized cannabis comprised 14,705.31 kilograms recovered from traffickers and 20,303.07 kilograms destroyed on cannabis plantations.

He further stated that 135 persons, comprising 101 males and 34 females with drug abuse problems, received counselling services, while 33 anti-drug abuse sensitisation programmes were conducted, reaching 6,092 participants.

Mitchell, who said the NDLEA cannot win the war against drug trafficking alone despite the impressive statistics, noted that the world drug problem is a family, community and national security issue.

“I implore parents and guardians to be the first line of defence. Talk to your children, monitor their behaviour, know their friends and be sensitive to early warning signs,” he said.

He, however, urged youths in the state not to allow drugs to rob them of their dreams, health and future.

He also urged traditional rulers and religious leaders, as the moral compass of society, to use their influence to advocate for drug-free communities.

Mitchell vowed that the command is committed to making Edo State a hostile environment for drug traffickers.

He reassured the people of the state that the agency remains professional, uncompromising and innovative, adding that it will make the state a hostile environment for drug traffickers and a safe space for recovery and rehabilitation.

In his remarks, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and other stakeholders, including the Commander of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun; the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika; and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Edo State chapter, called for innovative responses to address the age-long problem of drug trafficking and abuse.

Governor Okpebholo, represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Drug Policy and Trafficking Control, Andrew Efe, stressed his commitment to establishing zero tolerance for drug trafficking in Edo State.

“When drug traffickers think they are clever in crime, we will make them understand that we are more innovative in justice delivery. Edo State will not be safe for drug trafficking and substance abuse.

“If you bring drugs into this state, we will find you. We will seize your drugs, and you will face the full weight of the law. There will be no hiding place and no sacred cow.

“Addiction is a serious public health problem. My government is working with the NDLEA and health institutions to expand access to quality counselling and rehabilitation. We will not abandon our sons and daughters who are victims of drug trafficking. We will give them a chance to recover and rebuild.

“The world has been tackling the drug problem for centuries. Though the problem persists, we will not relent in making our society free from narcotic drugs. New challenges will arise, but our responses will be sharper, faster and more united,” he added.

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have recovered a vehicle that was stolen from its owner in 2024 and arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.
The command also recovered another vehicle from the suspects.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Benin City.

Ikoedem identified the arrested suspects as Emmanuel Afolayan and Ezikiel Aguele.

She said the vehicle stolen in 2024 was intercepted and the suspects arrested by operatives attached to Textile Mill Road (TMR) Division on June 22, 2026, during a routine stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint along Siluko Road, Benin City.

She said the vehicle, a Daihatsu Hijet minibus, ash in colour, with registration number GBZ 646 YK, Edo State, belonged to one Dr Timothy Etinosa.

The command’s spokesperson said the owner had given the vehicle to Emmanuel Afolayan under a hire-purchase agreement.

She added that Emmanuel Afolayan, however, absconded with the vehicle in 2024 to an unknown destination, forged its documents, and subsequently sold it.

She explained that the arrest of the 46-year-old Ezikiel Aguele led to the apprehension of Emmanuel Afolayan.

According to her, preliminary checks on the vehicle revealed that the particulars presented by the driver were forged.

“Further investigation disclosed that the vehicle belongs to one Dr Timothy Etinosa, who had earlier given the vehicle to one Emmanuel Afolayan under a hire-purchase agreement.

“However, Emmanuel Afolayan absconded with the vehicle in 2024 to an unknown destination, forged its documents, and subsequently sold it.

“The driver of the vehicle, one Ezikiel Aguele, male, aged 46 years, was arrested. During interrogation, he led operatives to the arrest of the principal suspect, Emmanuel Afolayan, and the recovery of another vehicle that was similarly stolen,” she said.

Ikoedem further stated that the suspects, who have confessed to the offence, will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old university student for allegedly creating and circulating a false social media report claiming that bandits had invaded parts of the state and were being held by militants demanding a N50 million ransom.

Commissioner of Police Daniel Iyamah disclosed the arrest while addressing journalists in Yenagoa on Friday, stating that the misleading post, which surfaced on June 5, 2026, sparked fear among residents and disrupted commercial and academic activities in some communities.

According to the police, the fabricated report alleged that armed bandits had entered Bayelsa communities before being captured by militants who demanded ₦50 million for their release.

“The publication generated widespread concern among residents and triggered panic in several communities,” Iyamah said.

The commissioner explained that the viral report particularly affected Polaku Community and nearby areas, where worried parents hurried to schools to pick up their children while business activities were temporarily halted.

“As a result of the false report, parents in Polaku Community and its environs rushed to schools to pick up their children, while commercial activities were temporarily disrupted, and many citizens became apprehensive about their safety,” he said.

Iyamah said police operatives immediately launched investigations by deploying intelligence and operational teams to verify the claims.

“Following extensive on-the-spot assessments and intelligence gathering, it became evident that the information being circulated was entirely false,” he said.

He identified the suspect as Promise Etete, a 300-level student of the University of Uyo from Akwa Ibom State.

“Through intelligence-led policing, digital investigation and technical tracking, detectives successfully identified, tracked and arrested one Promise Etete, a 23-year-old 300-level student of the University of Uyo, in connection with originating and posting the misleading report,” he said.

The police boss disclosed that the suspect is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where he has provided statements aiding ongoing investigations.

Warning against the abuse of social media platforms, Iyamah stressed that the command would not tolerate the spread of false information capable of causing public panic.

“Let me state clearly that cyberspace is not beyond the reach of law enforcement.

“I, therefore, warn individuals who use social media irresponsibly to desist from such acts. I also urge residents to verify security-related information before sharing it,” he said.

He reassured Bayelsa residents that there was no bandit invasion, no attack on schools and no threat to public safety as claimed in the viral report.