Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, have arrested a patent medicine vendor, a supermarket owner, and three others during coordinated drug raids in Benin City.
The Edo State Commander of NDLEA, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
According to him, the suspects include Akam Theophilus, a 46-year-old patent medicine vendor, and Ashitor Godfrey, a 25-year-old supermarket owner. The other suspects were identified as Asemota Endurance, Franklin Kijie, and Smart Ekhaitor.
Ofoyeju said the joint operation led to the recovery of 11,297 capsules of tramadol, alongside other controlled substances. Additional items seized include 400 tablets of diazepam, 108 tablets of Swinol, 22 tablets of Danabol (also known as ‘Molly’), 3.685 kilograms of cannabis, 181 grammes of Loud, 7 grammes of methamphetamine, and 10 bottles of codeine cough syrup.
The NDLEA commander explained that the arrests followed coordinated raids targeting drug hotspots in Benin City. Locations raided included a patent medicine shop near the S&T Barracks, a supermarket opposite Ekenwan Barracks, and the notorious Obagie area off Sapele Road.
He noted that the operation highlights strengthened collaboration between the NDLEA and the Nigerian Army, aimed at disrupting illicit drug trafficking networks in the state.
“The seamless collaboration with the Nigerian Army is in line with the operational mandate by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd),” Ofoyeju said.
He warned that individuals using legitimate businesses such as medicine stores and supermarkets as fronts for drug trafficking would face prosecution.
“Anyone hiding under the canopy of a patent medicine shop or a supermarket to peddle tramadol, Swinol, diazepam, codeine cough syrup and cannabis will not go unpunished. This is totally unacceptable, and the law must take its full course,” he stated.
Ofoyeju added that the Army has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s mandate and warned that anyone caught engaging in drug-related activities around military barracks would be handed over to the agency for prosecution.
He stressed that targeting young people with illicit substances is a threat to the nation’s future and assured that such acts would be met with the full force of the law.
All five suspects are currently in custody, while investigations continue ahead of their prosecution. The NDLEA also urged members of the public to provide credible information, assuring that such tips would be treated with confidentiality.
