BENIN CITY — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State successfully dismantled a major drug syndicate operating out of the Igwe community in Owan East Local Government Area. The raid, conducted on May 22, 2026, revealed a disturbing trend of traffickers exploiting local cultural landmarks to conceal large-scale criminal activities.

The Discovery: Narcotics Hidden in Plain Sight

The operation was the result of credible intelligence regarding the activities of an organized drug syndicate operating within the Igwe community. According to the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency’s coordinated search of the premises led to the discovery of a massive cache of illicit substances.

The haul included:

  • 59 bags of skunk cannabis weighing a total of 489 kilograms.

  • 9 kilograms of raw cannabis seeds.

  • Total Seizure: 498 kilograms of illicit narcotics.

The consignment was allegedly abandoned by a notorious drug kingpin identified simply as "Asrenre." Upon the arrival of the NDLEA tactical team, the suspect managed to evade capture and is currently the subject of an intensive state-wide manhunt.

Community Resistance During the Raid

The operation was not without friction. As NDLEA operatives attempted to secure the location, they encountered significant pushback from a group of local youths. Protesters attempted to obstruct the search, citing the location as a "sacred home of their deities" and claiming that the presence of law enforcement was a desecration of their religious site.

Despite the intense pressure and vocal opposition, the NDLEA team maintained professional resolve. Commander Ofoyeju emphasized that the agency acts under the authority of the NDLEA Act, which permits the search of any location where illicit substances are suspected to be concealed. The officers proceeded with the search, which ultimately validated the intelligence report and led to the successful recovery of the hidden narcotics.

Additional Operations and Arrests

The raid on the shrine was part of a broader crackdown within the Owan East region. During separate, related operations within the same community, the NDLEA apprehended two additional suspects linked to the local distribution of illicit substances:

  • Sunday Oghaimen (50): Apprehended with 945 grams of cannabis and 19 grams of Tramadol.

  • Esther Igbafe (33): Arrested in possession of 874 grams of cannabis, 19 grams of Tramadol, and 3 grams of Swinol.

Commitment to Dismantling Criminal Networks

Commander Ofoyeju has underscored that the agency’s objective extends far beyond the seizure of physical evidence. He confirmed that the NDLEA is currently working to track the logistical and financial links tied to the fleeing kingpin, "Asrenre," to ensure the entire criminal network is dismantled.

“We are working to track all links to the fleeing drug baron and ensure he is brought to justice,” Ofoyeju stated in a press briefing following the raid. “The NDLEA remains resolute in its commitment to rid Edo State of illicit drugs. Together, we can protect our communities from the scourge of drug trafficking and abuse.”

This operation serves as a stark warning to drug cartels that there are no "sacred" spaces in the eyes of the law when it comes to the illegal drug trade. As the NDLEA continues its aggressive supply-reduction strategy across Edo State, the agency has called on community leaders and residents to cooperate with law enforcement to identify and report the presence of criminal syndicates, ensuring that the local culture is not weaponized to facilitate the destruction of the nation’s youth.