Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a couple and recovered more than 412 kilogrammes of cannabis during a raid on a suspected drug warehouse in Benin, Edo State.
The operation was carried out by the Edo Command following intelligence reports linking the suspects to alleged illicit drug trafficking activities from a residential building along Sapele Road.
The command’s Commander, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the development on Monday while briefing journalists on recent operational successes.
He identified the suspects as Christian Chukwuka, 32, and his wife, Nwanneka Christian, 33, both natives of Ndokwa, Delta State.
“We arrested a husband and wife, Christian Chukwuka, 32 years old, and Nwanneka Christian, 33 years old, at the illicit warehouse,” Ofoyeju said.
NDLEA recovered 22 bags of skunk weighing 219.5 kilogrammes, alongside compressed blocks of Canadian Loud weighing 192.67 kilogrammes.
The combined seizure, according to the agency, amounted to over 412 kilogrammes of cannabis, marking one of the major drug recoveries recorded by the Edo Command.
Ofoyeju described the operation as a significant breakthrough in efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks operating in the state.
“Our efforts to combat drug trafficking remain unwavering. We will thoroughly investigate this case and ensure that justice is served,” he said.
He added that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of the process.
Speaking after his arrest, Christian attributed his involvement in the illegal trade to unemployment and financial struggles.
“I am a secondary school graduate, and I learnt how to drive trucks, but joblessness led me into drug trafficking,” he said.
He claimed a friend introduced him to the business, while the responsibility of caring for his family increased the financial pressure.
“If given another chance, I promise not to deal in drugs again,” Christian pleaded.
