Edo nursing mother, six others nabbed for suspected drug peddling

The Edo State Task Force, on Thursday, arrested a nursing mother and six others in a coordinated anti-drug operation across Uromi, Ubiaja and Auchi in Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts, respectively.

The suspects, comprising three males and four females, were paraded in Benin by the task force.

The Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, disclosed that the arrests followed credible intelligence and targeted raids on known drug hubs.

He stated that various quantities of illicit substances were recovered from the suspects, providing incontrovertible evidence of their involvement in the sale and distribution of hard drugs.

According to the commissioner, the operation was carried out on November 26, 2025, by the Edo State Taskforce mandated to ensure a crime-free environment across the state.

He said, “The Edo State Task Force has arrested seven drug cartels, three males and four females for their involvement in drug possession and sale.

“Our youths are increasingly being lured into drug abuse, which fuels deviant behaviour and criminal activities. These raids were conducted in Esan North-East, Esan South-East and Etsako West, where seven persons were arrested, including a nursing mother,” he said.

Ebea added that all evidence recovered links the suspects to the trade in harmful substances that have contributed to rising antisocial behaviour.

He noted that the state government was determined to dismantle drug networks, restore public safety and protect young people from the destructive grip of narcotics.

He revealed that the suspects would be profiled and handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

He added, “This operation will be sustained. It is not a one-off effort. The Edo State Government will continue to smoke out drug dealers and criminals wherever they hide to ensure a peaceful and safe society,” he said.

Ebea emphasised Governor Monday Okpebholo’s directive to make Edo a drug-free state, stressing that narcotics destroy lives and endanger communities.

“The impact of this task force will be far-reaching. We will take the fight to the doorsteps of both sellers and consumers,” he added.

The Chairman of the task force, CSP Michael Anetor, reaffirmed his team’s commitment to eradicating drug-related crime across the state.

He commended the commissioner for his unwavering support and warned others involved in the illicit drug trade to desist before the law catches up with them.

The commissioner said the state government reiterated that the crackdown would continue relentlessly until all communities are safe, secure and free from the scourge of illicit drugs.

PUNCH Metro reports that the state government and the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency are already collaborating to rid the state of illicit drug sale.

Also, the Edo State Government on Wednesday intensified a campaign against substance abuse among the youth with a statewide campus sensitisation tour to tertiary institutions in the state.

Led by Andrew Efe, who is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Drug and Illicit Control, the initiative, tagged “Shine Above Drug Abuse,” took the message of prevention to students across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The institutions visited last week included the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Auchi Polytechnic, among others.