The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

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He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

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“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Seizes Cocaine Hidden In Aso-Ebi Caps, Headgears

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his rescue.

Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.

According to Vanguard, the initial demands of N50 million ransom by the abductors lingered for long when the family could not pay; this resulted in his health deteriorating, as he had no means to get his medication.

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It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him will come at an extra cost, a concession that couldn’t be met by the family.

However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to ₦10 million naira.

A source in the community said that the Ajayi family, believing he was still alive, quickly agreed to pay the ten million naira for his rescue.

“Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.”

READ ALSO: Police Rescue 21 Kidnap Victims, Neutralize One Suspect, Arrest Another In Enugu

The retired army officer’s remains has been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area, who was in the same way abducted from his home in early May. He’s yet to be released either.

However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene, appealed to residents to remain calm, as efforts to rid the criminal elements out of the state are already yielding positive interest.

Suspected kidnappers have abducted a 20-year-old petty trader, identified as Ajuma Simon, a native of Ukpotume, a village after Ugwolawo in Odolu/ Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State and demanded a huge sum of money.

The incident was said to have happened on Friday when the gunmen invaded her house around 1am and whisked her away.

The locals said the lady was popular in the community and mostly known for hawking cooked rice and okpa, a local delicacy made from Barbara nuts.

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A resident and youth leader in Ugwolawo community, Ameh Adams said, “The gunmen, in their number, stormed her house at Ukpotume, a town after Ugwolawo around 1am and whisked her away.

“She hawks cooked rice and okpa for a living. Her abductors are demanding a huge amount of money for her release.

“It is being rumoured in the community that she just collected a contribution.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP William Aya, did not respond to text messages and calls put across to him on the incident.

However, the police in the area confirmed the incident but declined further comments.