By Joy Yesufu
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted a consignment of controlled pharmaceutical drugs weighing 748.02 kilogrammes along the Benin–Lagos Expressway, in a major crackdown on interstate drug trafficking.
State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the development on Monday while briefing journalists in Benin City.
He said the seizure was made on April 23, 2026, during a routine patrol, when operatives intercepted a Mercedes-Benz truck branded with the insignia of the Nigeria Labour Congress and bearing a Federal Capital Territory registration number.
According to him, the truck, which was en route Lagos to Onitsha in Anambra State, was found to be carrying 95 cartons of psychotropic substances comprising over 1.19 million capsules, tablets and ampoules.
A breakdown of the seizure shows that the consignment included 440,000 capsules of tramadol (100mg), 600,000 capsules of tramadol (50mg), 84,000 tablets of Rohypnol, 76,000 ampoules of diazepam injection, and 72,000 tablets of bromazepam, bringing the total weight to 748.02kg.
Two suspects, identified as Osagie Igbinibo, 43, and Omijie Malik, 44, were arrested in connection with the haul.
Ofoyeju described the interception as part of ongoing efforts by the agency to dismantle drug trafficking networks, warning of the dangers posed by the illicit circulation of controlled substances.
“The trafficking of high volumes of controlled drugs, particularly potent opioids like tramadol, poses a serious threat to public health and safety, especially among young people,” he said.
He added that the suspects remain in custody and would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
The NDLEA boss also urged members of the public to provide timely information on drug-related activities, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to collaboration with communities and other stakeholders in tackling drug abuse and trafficking.
He noted that the operation aligns with directives from the NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, to intensify efforts against interstate drug smuggling.
