NDLEA Intercepts 748kg of Tramadol, Rohypnol and Other Drugs in Edo, Arrests Two Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has seized 748 kilograms of controlled pharmaceutical drugs in Edo State, including tramadol, Rohypnol, diazepam, and bromazepam — all crammed into a single truck headed from Lagos to Onitsha.

Edo NDLEA State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju confirmed the seizure on Monday, saying his men stopped a Mercedes-Benz truck on the Benin-Lagos Expressway during a routine motorised patrol on April 23, 2026. What made the truck stand out: it was branded with the Nigeria Labour Congress insignia, bearing the registration number NLC 146 FC.

What was inside

The 95 cartons packed inside contained:

• 440,000 capsules of tramadol 100mg (264kg)
• 600,000 capsules of tramadol 50mg (180kg)
• 84,000 tablets of Rohypnol (25.2kg)
• 76,000 ampoules of diazepam injection (242.82kg)
• 72,000 tablets of bromazepam (36kg)

Two suspects were arrested at the scene: Osagie Igbinibo, 43, and Omijie Malik, 44.

The NDLEA said using a truck bearing the NLC logo to smuggle drugs was a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny at checkpoints. The agency said both suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing.

Edo State has been identified as a key transit point for drug cartels moving pharmaceutical narcotics between Lagos and the southeast. The NDLEA has stepped up patrols along the corridor in recent months.

Sources: Punch, TheTimes.com.ng, GazetteNGR