Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized 748.02 kilogrammes of controlled pharmaceutical substances along the Benin–Lagos Expressway in a major crackdown on drug trafficking.
The Edo State Commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Benin City, describing the operation as a significant breakthrough.
According to him, the drugs were discovered in a Mercedes-Benz truck branded with the insignia of the Nigeria Labour Congress during a routine patrol.
“On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the command intercepted a truck carrying 95 cartons containing 1.196 million capsules and tablets of psychotropic substances,” he said.
The vehicle, reportedly travelling from Lagos to Onitsha, was found to contain a mix of narcotics, including Tramadol, Rohypnol, diazepam injections, and bromazepam.
A breakdown of the seizure showed 440,000 capsules of tramadol (100mg), 600,000 capsules (50mg), 84,000 tablets of Rohypnol, 76,000 ampoules of diazepam, and 72,000 tablets of bromazepam.
Two suspects—Osagie Igbinibo, 43, and Omijie Malik, 44—were arrested in connection with the consignment and are currently in custody.
Ofoyeju warned that trafficking large volumes of opioids poses serious risks to public health, linking such substances to addiction, medical emergencies, and fatalities.
He added that investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks nationwide.
The NDLEA also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that community collaboration is key to tackling drug abuse and illicit trade.
