NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust - Newstrends
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NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust

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NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust

NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust

BENIN CITY – In a fiery public display of Nigeria’s resolve to stamp out illicit substances, the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday destroyed a staggering 73,463.21 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with an estimated street value of ₦2.8 billion.

The destruction exercise, carried out under a Federal High Court order at Idogbo Bypass in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, saw mounds of illegal drugs set ablaze before a crowd of government officials, security personnel, traditional rulers, and civil society stakeholders.

Officials described the event not as a celebration, but as a sobering reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to dismantle drug trafficking networks and save countless lives from addiction-fueled crime and health crises.

Breakdown: What Was Destroyed?

The bulk of the seized narcotics was Cannabis sativa, accounting for 73,210.23 kilogrammes of the total. However, the agency also destroyed significant quantities of dangerous synthetic opioids and hard drugs. A detailed breakdown shows that Cannabis sativa (marijuana) amounted to 73,210.23 kg, while total psychotropic substances reached 246.36 kg. Within that category, Tramadol accounted for 141.81 kg, Codeine cough syrup 61.77 kg, and Diazepam 8.43 kg. Additionally, Methamphetamine weighed 2.66 kg, Cocaine 3.74 kg, and Heroin 0.22 kg. Every kilogramme destroyed, officials noted, represents potential lives saved from drug-induced psychosis, armed robbery, kidnapping, and premature death.

Governor Okpebholo: “Drug Traffickers Must Leave Edo State”

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, speaking through the First Lady and Chairperson of the Edo State Drug Control Committee, Mrs. Edesili Anani, delivered a stern ultimatum to narcotics peddlers. He declared, “Drug traffickers must leave Edo State because we are coming for them, and we will not relent until every gram of illicit substance is seized and destroyed.” Governor Okpebholo framed the war against drug abuse as inseparable from the fight against violent crime, stating that the war on drugs is a war for the soul of Nigeria, a war against criminality, kidnapping, banditry, and the devastating health consequences of substance abuse. He announced that his administration would establish a modern rehabilitation centre for individuals recovering from addiction, acknowledging that enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis.

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NDLEA Chairman Marwa: Beyond Burning Contraband

Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA, described the public destruction as a powerful symbol of national resolve. Represented by the agency’s Director of Operations and General Investigation, DCGN Suleiman Ahmed Ningi, Marwa said that what they gathered to do transcends the physical act of burning contraband. He stated that they were, in the most powerful terms, reaffirming their collective and unshakeable resolve to confront, dismantle, and ultimately defeat the menace of drug abuse. Marwa specifically thanked the Edo State Government for donating 20 plots of land for the construction of a model NDLEA State Command headquarters, a move he said would significantly boost operational efficiency.

Senate Pledges Three-Pronged Legislative Strategy

Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, praised the NDLEA’s efforts and announced a comprehensive three-pronged legislative strategy to combat substance abuse nationwide. The first prong is supply reduction, which involves stronger laws, better funding for NDLEA, and international cooperation to cut off trafficking routes. The second is demand reduction, focusing on the introduction of early health awareness on drug consequences into primary and secondary school curricula. The third is treatment and rehabilitation, treating addiction as a disease, building more rehab centres, and destigmatizing recovery. Senator Ikpea emphasized that every kilogramme of cocaine, every bag of cannabis, and every sachet of tramadol and codeine destroyed that day represented lives saved from the catastrophic effects of drugs. He acknowledged that NDLEA operatives work in dangerous, underfunded conditions and pledged to push for better welfare, modern equipment, and stronger legal backing.

Commander Ofoyeju: Drugs Hidden in Shrines, Operatives Attacked with Firearms

Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEA Edo State Commander, provided a chilling account of the command’s recent operations. He revealed that officers had intercepted illicit substances concealed in vehicles, articulated trucks, and even traditional shrines. He stated that the command had apprehended both the young and the aged, male and female, and had even recovered drugs hidden in shrines, adding that operatives had been attacked on the line of duty with firearms, but they remained undeterred in executing their mandate. Ofoyeju disclosed that during the first quarter of 2026 alone, the command seized drugs worth more than ₦1.8 billion and arrested 104 suspected drug traffickers across the state. He ended with a poignant warning to parents, saying that while families may give their children money, the best schools, good food and clothing, if they fail to protect them from drug and substance abuse, they have indeed given them nothing.

National Context: Billions in Opioids Intercepted at Ports

Thursday’s destruction in Edo is part of a wider national crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, particularly through Nigeria’s South-South region. Recent major seizures include: in April 2026, the NDLEA secured interim forfeiture orders for opioids valued at over ₦33.6 billion intercepted at Onne Port, Rivers State. In June 2025, seven watch-listed containers carrying opioids and codeine syrup worth ₦9.3 billion were seized at Onne Port. In August 2025, NAFDAC intercepted 16 containers of fake and substandard regulated products valued at approximately ₦20.5 billion, also at Onne Port. And in April 2024, the NDLEA destroyed a national cache of 304,436 kilogrammes and 40,042 litres of narcotics. These figures underscore the scale of Nigeria’s challenge as a transit hub for illegal drug trafficking between Latin America, Asia, and European markets.

What’s Next: Pre-Election Raids Intensify

With the July 11, 2026, local government election approaching, the NDLEA has announced plans to intensify raids on identified drug hotspots across Edo State. The agency stated it would conduct targeted operations before, during, and after the elections to prevent criminal elements from exploiting illicit substances to foment violence.

Conclusion

The destruction of ₦2.8 billion worth of drugs in Edo State sends an unmistakable message: Nigeria is no longer willing to serve as a transit point, warehouse, or dumping ground for narcotics. But as officials acknowledged, enforcement is only one pillar. Without rehabilitation, education, and economic opportunity, the battle against substance abuse cannot be fully won. Witnessed by security agencies, religious leaders, students, and community stakeholders, Thursday’s bonfire in Benin City may have been one of the largest in the state’s history. The NDLEA vows it will not be the last.

NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust

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Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

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Hafsat Abubakar

Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a fake document claiming that fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.

The arrest followed an investigation launched after OPay Digital Services Limited petitioned the police over the fraudulent document, which circulated widely on social media and caused concerns among some customers.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the development during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC in Abuja on Wednesday.

Iniedu said the police received a formal petition from OPay on August 31, 2026, through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.

According to him, the company requested an urgent investigation to identify, trace and apprehend those responsible for creating and circulating what it described as a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication from OPay.

Following the petition, the National Cybercrime Centre deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and establish its source.

The police said the forensic investigation traced the material to a post on an X account identified as @haifah_er_abba, which was allegedly registered and operated by Abubakar.

Police operatives subsequently arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.

The suspect was identified as a 27-year-old graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The investigation centres on a fabricated document titled “Official Note”, which falsely claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and account-related services indefinitely from September 1, 2026.

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The fake notice reportedly urged customers to withdraw or transfer their funds ahead of the purported shutdown, potentially creating panic among users of the digital financial services platform.

OPay moved quickly to dismiss the claim, assuring customers that the company had no plan to shut down its operations.

The fintech company described the purported shutdown notice as completely false and urged customers to disregard the information, stressing that its services remained fully operational.

OPay also highlighted several inconsistencies in the document as evidence that it was not an authentic company communication.

Among the discrepancies were the use of an outdated OPay logo, a misspelling of the company’s name and a layout that differed from the format used in its official communications.

The company subsequently escalated the matter to security agencies, confirming that it was working with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to identify the source of the false information and those involved in its circulation.

OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, had also warned that individuals who deliberately disseminated false information about the company could face legal consequences.

The company said the false publication had the potential to cause unnecessary alarm among customers and negatively affect its business and reputation.

The police investigation has now led to the arrest of Abubakar, with the NPF-NCCC saying the case highlights the growing threat posed by digitally fabricated information.

The Force said false information involving financial institutions and fintech companies could have serious consequences, including public panic, financial disruption and reputational damage.

The police therefore urged Nigerians to exercise caution before sharing information obtained from social media, particularly claims concerning banks, fintech companies, government agencies and other critical institutions.

The NPF-NCCC advised members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before acting on or reposting it online.

The police said the investigation was still ongoing and assured that anyone found culpable would face prosecution after the conclusion of the investigation.

The development comes after OPay continued its operations beyond the September 1 date mentioned in the fake notice, further confirming that the purported OPay shutdown was not genuine.

Customers have consequently been advised to rely on OPay’s verified communication channels for information concerning its services and operations.

Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

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Residents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention

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Residents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention

Residents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention

Community Blames Contractor, Ojokoro LCDA Over Neglect as Accidents Claim Lives

Residents of Ademola Abiola Street in Alakuko, Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos State, have expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the entrance to their street, which they say was never properly constructed from the onset.

According to community sources, the street itself was commissioned in June/July 2016 and remains in good condition. However, the entrance to the street has had structural and construction-related issues since its commissioning. Despite repeated complaints lodged with the contractor handling the project, no meaningful action has been taken to address the problem. Subsequent appeals to the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) regarding the deteriorating state of the entrance have also failed to yield any positive results.

The situation has been further compounded by the closure of Adenekan Street, the neighbouring street to Ademola Abiola. Following the closure, Ademola Abiola Street has become the major route linking commuters to the Abeokuta Expressway. Vehicles heading to Sango, Abeokuta, and other destinations now frequently ply the street to access the expressway, resulting in heavy traffic and unprecedented pressure on the already problematic entrance.

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The increased vehicular movement has not only worsened the state of the poorly constructed entrance but has also turned it into a death trap. Several accidents have occurred at the entrance, one of which tragically claimed a life. Residents say the situation has become unbearable, with the heavy volume of vehicles compounding an already dangerous situation.

Speaking on the matter, Barrister Joshua Akindipe, Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA) and a prominent resident of the street, alongside Alhaji Abdulkareem Adebiyi, urged the CDA to urgently intervene and fix the entrance to prevent further loss of life. They stressed that the current state of the entrance poses a serious risk to residents and motorists alike.

The residents also recalled that the Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Barrister Yemisi Rosiji, had promised to fix the road since early last year. However, according to them, that promise remains unfulfilled, leaving the community to grapple with the dangerous consequences of government neglect.

Members of the community are now calling on the relevant authorities, including the Ojokoro LCDA and the Lagos State Government, to urgently intervene before more lives are lost. They insist that the entrance must be properly constructed and fixed, especially given its strategic importance as a major link to the Abeokuta Expressway.

For now, residents continue to live in fear as they navigate the hazardous entrance daily, hoping that their cries will finally be heard before another tragedy strikes.

Residents Cry Out Over Poorly Constructed Entrance of Ademola Abiola Street, Demand Urgent Intervention

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Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

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Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

A 38-year-old woman, Yamini Krishna Lal Yadav, has died in Nagpur, India, after her husband allegedly assaulted her during an argument over cooking and her decision to attend a dance class.

The woman’s husband, Krishna Lal Yadav, 41, has been arrested and booked in connection with her death after a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed serious internal injuries.

The incident occurred in the Mankapur area of Nagpur, Maharashtra, where the couple lived with their two young children.

According to reports, Krishna returned home from work and asked his wife to prepare food for him and the children. Yamini, however, was reportedly preparing to attend a dance class within their housing society and declined to cook at the time.

The disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Police said the husband was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly assaulted Yamini around her neck and abdomen. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of their children.

After the alleged assault, Yamini complained of severe pain in her neck and abdomen and reportedly asked her husband to get painkillers. He allegedly went to a nearby medical shop but returned after finding it closed.

Her condition later deteriorated, with her abdomen reportedly becoming swollen. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital in the area for treatment but died while receiving medical attention.

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The case initially appeared to be an accidental death, prompting police to send her body for a post-mortem examination.

However, the examination reportedly revealed a fractured neck bone and severe internal injuries, including serious damage to the intestines. Reports also indicated injuries consistent with strangulation and abdominal trauma, prompting investigators to reconsider the circumstances surrounding her death.

Following the post-mortem findings, police questioned Krishna and subsequently arrested him. A murder case was registered against him as investigations continued.

Yamini’s brother reportedly said the family was aware that the couple had experienced disagreements in the past. He said Yamini had occasionally spoken about problems in the marriage but had asked relatives not to intervene because she feared their involvement could worsen the situation.

The family initially believed Yamini had died following a medical emergency and was reportedly shocked when the post-mortem examination revealed evidence of significant physical injuries.

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Nagpur woman, while the accused remains in custody over the allegations.

The case has renewed concerns about domestic violence, particularly the need for victims experiencing abuse to have access to timely support and protection.

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

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