The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is set to commence full-scale anti-narcotic operations at Benin Airport as part of an intensified national effort to curb drug trafficking through air transport routes in Edo State. The plan, which emerged from a strategic engagement between the agency and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), reflects growing concerns over the exploitation of aviation channels by drug cartels.
Disclosing the initiative on Wednesday, NDLEA’s Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, stated that the agency would be deploying trained operatives to monitor passengers and cargo, identify illicit substances, and apprehend traffickers. According to Ofoyeju, this step is vital given the increasing use of air corridors by criminal networks, a development he warned poses serious threats to public safety and national security.
The proposed operations at the Benin Airport mark a key component of a broader anti-narcotics strategy across Edo State, designed to tackle drug trafficking by land, sea, and air. “Our grand strategy is to make Edo State impregnable to drug cartels on all fronts,” Ofoyeju stated. “By doing this, we’re not just intercepting drugs—we’re working to protect communities and reduce demand for illicit substances.”
This initiative comes amid wider efforts to disrupt drug networks in the region. NDLEA’s state-level operations have recently targeted methamphetamine labs and cannabis farms, while also expanding access to rehabilitation services for users. The agency is complementing its enforcement activities with community-based interventions under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which includes mobile drug testing, toll-free counselling hotlines, and in-home support for individuals and families affected by addiction.
FAAN’s General Manager, Akinbinu Felix, pledged the authority’s full backing for the operation, describing the fight against drug trafficking as a shared responsibility that demands inter-agency cooperation. Felix, who had previously collaborated with NDLEA officials during his time at Port Harcourt Airport, praised the agency’s efforts and accepted a commemorative souvenir in recognition of his support as a WADA campaign partner.
This development is part of NDLEA’s wider move to strengthen surveillance and enforcement at Nigeria’s entry points, including major airports, seaports, and land borders. By increasing its presence and reach at these strategic locations, the agency aims not only to intercept traffickers but also to address the underlying factors that fuel substance abuse across Nigeria.
