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
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