NDLEA Torches 73,000kg of Drugs in Edo — Most of It Was Cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has publicly destroyed 73,463.21 kilogrammes of narcotics and psychotropic substances in Benin City, Edo State. The exercise, held Thursday at Idogbo bypass in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, followed a Federal High Court order in Benin.

Cannabis accounted for the overwhelming bulk of the destroyed drugs — 73,210.23 kilogrammes. That's roughly 99.7% of the total. The remaining 253 kilogrammes included 141.81 kg of tramadol, 61.77 kg of codeine cough syrup, 8.43 kg of diazepam, 3.74 kg of cocaine, 2.66 kg of methamphetamine, and 0.22 kg of heroin.

Edo State NDLEA Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju said the drugs were recovered through sustained intelligence-led operations targeting trafficking syndicates inside and outside the state. He disclosed that operatives had come under attack from armed criminals during some operations but remained undeterred.

The commander added that the agency had intensified efforts through destruction of cannabis farms, raids on illicit drug warehouses, and interception of vehicles used for transporting narcotics. Several suspects have been arrested across different age groups and genders. Drugs have also been recovered from unusual locations, including shrines.

"The seizure and destruction of the drugs prevented them from reaching the streets, where they could have fueled addiction, crime, and social instability," said NDLEA Chairman and CEO Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), represented at the event by Director of Operations and General Investigation Ahmed Ningi.

Marwa described the public destruction as a major milestone in the agency's war against narcotics and organised criminal networks. He said it demonstrated transparency and accountability in handling seized narcotics, assuring the public that all recovered drugs were properly accounted for and destroyed in line with due process.

The exercise was witnessed by representatives of security agencies, government officials, religious leaders, and students.

The Scale of Nigeria's Drug Problem

Nigeria remains a major transit and consumption hub for illicit drugs in West Africa. The NDLEA has ramped up seizures in recent years under Marwa's leadership, with multi-tonne cannabis hauls becoming routine. In 2024 alone, the agency reported destroying over 1.4 million kilogrammes of cannabis across the country. The Edo destruction is one of the largest single public burnings this year.

What Happens to the Destroyed Drugs

The drugs were incinerated at the designated site under supervision. Public destruction exercises are standard practice to prevent re-entry into the black market. The NDLEA maintains that all seized drugs are logged, stored as evidence until court orders are obtained, and then destroyed in the presence of witnesses to ensure accountability.