The Edo State Government has arrested seven suspected drug dealers, including a breastfeeding mother, during coordinated raids in Uromi, Ubiaja and Auchi across Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.
The suspects three men and four women were paraded on Wednesday in Benin City by the Edo State Taskforce on Public Safety.
Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, said the November 26 operation was based on credible intelligence targeting drug hubs linked to rising crime and youth addiction in the state. He said quantities of illicit substances were recovered, describing the items as “incontrovertible evidence” connecting the suspects to the sale and distribution of hard drugs.
Ebea said the arrests were made in Esan North-East, Esan South-East and Etsako West LGAs, stressing that drug abuse had contributed significantly to antisocial behaviour and insecurity in communities.
He added that the government remained committed to dismantling drug networks across the state. “We are going after these criminal elements relentlessly. This is not a one-off effort,” he said.
The suspects will be profiled and transferred to relevant security agencies for prosecution.
Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Michael Anetor, who led the raids, reaffirmed the team’s commitment to tackling drug-related crimes. He thanked the Commissioner for his support and warned others involved in illicit drug activities to desist “before the law catches up with them.”
The state government said the crackdown will continue until all communities are safe and free from the influence of illegal drugs.
