NDLEA destroys 24,897kg skunk in Edo, Osun forests” />
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully eradicated a total of 24,897 kilograms of skunk cannabis from forested areas in Edo and Osun states.
According to a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by Mr. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, authorities seized over 223.5 kilograms of processed cannabis and seeds from four distinct farms located in Edo State.
Detailing the operation, Babafemi revealed that on Friday, October 3, NDLEA agents destroyed 10,897.35 kilograms of skunk across four farms spanning approximately 4.36 hectares within the Ugbodo forest in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo.
During this raid, two individuals-Michael Ayang, aged 40, and Bernard New Year, also known as Don, aged 47-were apprehended.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, October 1, NDLEA officers intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle bearing registration KUJ 47 NW at Igbanke in Orhionwon LGA, Edo. The vehicle was found carrying 22 bags of skunk weighing a total of 244.5 kilograms. The driver, 28-year-old Ineh Excellent Obindi, was taken into custody.
Meanwhile, in Osun State, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects-Chuimieze Shedrack (28), Sunday John (25), and Solomon Okopko (27)-on Thursday, October 2, at the Owena/Ijesha forest reserve. Here, they dismantled a sprawling 5.6-hectare cannabis plantation, destroying 14,000 kilograms of skunk and confiscating an additional 142 kilograms of the drug.
Further enforcement efforts along the Okene/Lokoja highway led to the interception of a parcel containing 3.272 kilograms of Loud cannabis and a sachet of Colorado, both psychoactive substances. A subsequent operation at Gwagwalada park in Abuja resulted in the arrest of the parcel’s owner, 34-year-old Tobi Odubote.
Additionally, on October 2, Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, was detained on the Abaji-Abuja Expressway after being found with 25.5 kilograms of skunk.
Beyond these seizures, NDLEA commands nationwide have intensified their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting awareness programs in schools, religious centers, workplaces, and local communities over the past week.
These outreach efforts included educational sessions at Government Day Secondary School in Hammawa Toungo, Adamawa State; Government Day Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State; Day Secondary School in Unguwan Nasarawa, Kontogora, Niger State; and among traders at Ladega Market in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Moreover, the Imo State Command of the NDLEA paid a courtesy visit to Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, the wife of the state governor, at the Government House in Owerri as part of their WADA advocacy initiatives.