Edo Government Arrests Nursing Mother Among Seven Suspected Drug Dealers
Edo Government Arrests Nursing Mother Among Seven Suspected Drug Dealers
The suspects, comprising three men and four women, were paraded in Benin City on Wednesday by the Edo State Taskforce on Public Safety.
The Edo State government has said it has arrested seven suspected drug dealers — including a breastfeeding mother — during a series of coordinated raids across Uromi, Ubiaja and Auchi in Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts.
The suspects, comprising three men and four women, were paraded in Benin City on Wednesday by the Edo State Taskforce on Public Safety.
The Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, said the arrests followed credible intelligence and targeted operations on identified drug hubs known to fuel crime and youth addiction across the state.
He said the operation, carried out on November 26, 2025, led to the recovery of quantities of illicit substances, which he described as “incontrovertible evidence” linking the suspects to the sale and distribution of hard drugs.
“Our youths are increasingly being lured into drug abuse, which fuels deviant behaviour and criminal activities,” Ebea said.
“These raids were conducted in Esan North-East, Esan South-East and Etsako West, where seven persons were arrested, including a breastfeeding mother.”
According to him, every item recovered from the operation directly implicates the suspects in the illegal drug trade, which he said has contributed to a spike in antisocial behaviour and insecurity across communities.
Ebea stressed that the government is determined to dismantle all drug networks operating in the state.
“We are going after these criminal elements relentlessly. This is not a one-off effort,” he said.
“The Edo State Government will continue to smoke out drug dealers and criminals wherever they hide to ensure a peaceful and safe society.”
He added that the suspects would be profiled and handed over to relevant agencies for prosecution.
The Commissioner also reaffirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s directive to make Edo State a drug-free region, warning that narcotics “destroy lives, destabilise communities, and remain a major threat to public safety.”
The Chairman of the Edo State Taskforce, CSP Michael Anetor, who led the operation, said his team remains fully committed to eradicating drug-related crimes.
He thanked the Commissioner for what he described as “unwavering support” and warned others still involved in the illicit drug trade to desist immediately “before the law catches up with them.”
The Edo State Government maintained that the crackdown will continue with full force until all communities are “safe, secure, and free from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
