The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has intercepted two articulated trucks carrying 7,245 kilogrammes of skunk cannabis and arrested five suspects.

The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this while presenting the seized drugs, valued at N724,500,000, and the trucks to journalists. He said the operation was carried out on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after 72 hours of intelligence gathering and surveillance.

Ofoyeju described the seizure as the first time the command had intercepted two trucks loaded with illicit drugs simultaneously, noting that it disrupted an inter-state trafficking network.

“This interception sends a clear message that Edo State is not a safe haven for drug trafficking. The volume, over seven metric tonnes of cannabis, reflects the scale of the threat and the effectiveness of our intelligence-driven operations,” he said.

He added that the operation aligns with the zero-tolerance directive of the NDLEA Chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa.

Acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives intercepted the trucks along the Auchi–Abuja Road. The vehicles, which appeared to be transporting cartons of beer, were found to be concealing bags of processed cannabis. Field tests confirmed the substance as skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.

One truck, with registration number OYO LUY 172 XC, contained 260 bags weighing 3,900 kilogrammes, while the second, OYO LUY 281 XC, carried 223 bags weighing 3,345 kilogrammes. The combined haul totalled 483 bags.

The suspects—identified as Ibrahim Abu, Abu Abdullazeez, Jibril Jaminu, Andrew Moses and Ganiyu Abu—are all from Etsako East and Etsako West local councils of Edo State.

Preliminary findings indicate the consignment originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Council and was bound for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before interception.

The trucks and exhibits have been moved to the command headquarters in Benin City for further investigation and are to be forfeited as instruments of crime.

Ofoyeju said investigations are ongoing to dismantle the network behind the shipment and bring all those involved to justice. He urged the public to provide timely information to support the agency’s efforts.

The suspects reportedly admitted involvement, stating they were promised N10,000 per parcel upon successful delivery.