OKPEBHOLO, OBA OF BENIN BACK MARWA’S DRIVE AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

........As NDLEA expands WADA campaign to Edo, mobilises traditional rulers, transport unions and religious leaders

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, have pledged their support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) renewed efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The two prominent leaders gave the assurance when the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), led a delegation of the agency on a War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy visit to Benin City, Edo State.

Receiving the NDLEA delegation at the Government House, Governor Okpebholo described the fight against drug abuse as a collective responsibility, stressing that illicit drugs contribute significantly to criminal activities, including kidnapping and other violent crimes.

He commended Marwa for his commitment to the anti-drug campaign and praised the NDLEA Edo State Command for its operational achievements. The governor also assured the agency of his administration’s readiness to provide the necessary support to strengthen its operations.

In recognition of his commitment to the campaign, Governor Okpebholo was decorated as a WADA Grand Ambassador by the NDLEA Chairman. Speaking during the visit, Marwa commended the governor’s developmental initiatives and his determination to address drug-related challenges in the state.

He disclosed that the visit was partly aimed at securing the state government's support for the NDLEA's Alternative Development Programme, an initiative designed to encourage cannabis farmers to abandon illicit cultivation in favour of legitimate agricultural activities.

According to him, the programme, which was piloted in Ondo State in January 2026, has recorded encouraging results, prompting the agency to extend its implementation to Edo State.

Marwa explained that beneficiaries would be encouraged to cultivate legitimate crops such as cassava, yam and maize, with support in the form of agricultural inputs and community infrastructure, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities and water supply.

The NDLEA Chairman subsequently paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin at his palace, where he described drug abuse as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria.

He disclosed that more than 15 million Nigerians were involved in drug abuse, representing a prevalence rate approximately three times the global average.

Marwa further revealed that the NDLEA arrested over 1,200 suspected drug traffickers and seized more than 30 tonnes of illicit substances in Edo State in 2025. He added that cannabis accounted for about 75 per cent of the 16 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit substances seized nationwide by the agency over the past five years.

Emphasising the importance of traditional institutions in tackling the menace, Marwa called on the Oba of Benin to mobilise communities across the kingdom against drug cultivation, trafficking and consumption.

He noted that the fight required a whole-of-society approach involving government institutions, traditional rulers, religious organisations, civil society groups and the media.

Responding, Oba Ewuare II appreciated the NDLEA Chairman for recognising the contributions of the Benin Kingdom towards addressing drug abuse and other social vices.

The monarch reaffirmed his interest in supporting the agency and disclosed that he had suggestions for strengthening its operations, which he intended to communicate directly to the NDLEA Chairman in writing.

As part of the WADA campaign in Edo State, Marwa also engaged leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), led by Comrade Saturday Oamen.

He urged transport operators to use their platforms and influence to sensitise drivers and other members of the public against drug abuse and trafficking, particularly within motor parks and transport corridors. The NDLEA Chairman also scheduled engagements with religious and civil society leaders as part of efforts to broaden public participation in the campaign.

Source: The First Mails, November 4, 2026. Original report by Agatha N. Uju.

OKPEBHOLO, OBA OF BENIN BACK MARWA’S DRIVE AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

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