From Ebohon Joan
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against illicit drugs in Edo State, with over 30 tonnes of prohibited substances recovered and more than 1,200 suspected traffickers arrested in 2025.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), disclosed this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, at his palace in Benin City.
Marwa explained that his visit to the state was part of an assessment of the NDLEA command’s operations in Edo, as well as an engagement with participants at the Nigerian Army’s Regimental Sergeant Majors Convention.
He described substance abuse as a serious national challenge, revealing that over 15 million Nigerians were involved in drug abuse, a figure he said was three times higher than the global average.
According to him, the growing problem continues to threaten the wellbeing of young people, disrupt family life and undermine the stability of communities.
The NDLEA chief further disclosed that cannabis made up approximately 75 per cent of the 16 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs confiscated by the agency nationwide over the past six years.
He linked the high volume of cannabis seizures to local cultivation, identifying Edo as one of the major states involved in its production.
Marwa stressed that the agency’s responsibilities extended beyond arresting drug dealers and intercepting illegal substances, noting that it also provides support services for individuals battling addiction.
He explained that such interventions include counselling, medical treatment and rehabilitation to help affected persons recover and reintegrate into society.
The NDLEA chairman warned that the drug problem had spread across different communities, including the historic Benin Kingdom, emphasising that no region was immune to its effects.
He consequently called on traditional institutions and community leaders to strengthen their partnership with the agency by supporting efforts to prevent drug abuse, discourage illegal cultivation and expose trafficking networks.
In his response, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, praised the NDLEA for its continued efforts to rid the country of illicit substances.
The monarch also pledged to personally submit recommendations to Marwa on possible strategies for tackling the increasing incidence of drug abuse in the country.
