Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a married couple in Benin City, Edo State capital, after uncovering an alleged illegal drug warehouse stocked with hundreds of kilograms of suspected narcotics hidden inside a residential neighbourhood.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, announced the arrest in a statement issued on Monday, saying the operation was carried out after the agency received credible intelligence on the suspects’ alleged drug trafficking activities.
According to Ofoyeju, the suspects, identified as 32-year-old Christian Chukwuka and his 33-year-old wife, Nwanneka Christian, both natives of Ndokwa in Delta State, were arrested during a raid on the warehouse located along Sapele Road in Benin City.
He said NDLEA operatives recovered 22 bags of skunk weighing 219.5 kilogrammes, alongside compressed blocks of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic cannabis strain, weighing 192.67 kilogrammes.
“We arrested a husband and wife, Christian Chukwuka, 32, and Nwanneka Christian, 33, at the illicit warehouse where they deal in narcotic drugs,” Ofoyeju said.
“The arrest and seizure reflect growing concern over drug trafficking and abuse. Both suspects, who hail from Ndokwa in Delta State, were apprehended at the warehouse.
“The drugs were detected in a warehouse located in a residential area along Sapele Road, Benin City. The discovery highlights growing concern over drug trafficking and illegal drug distribution in the state.”
The NDLEA commander described the operation as one of the agency’s biggest drug seizures in Edo State, stressing that the command remained committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks and preventing illicit substances from reaching communities.
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He added that investigations were continuing and that the suspects would be prosecuted after the conclusion of the probe.
“Our efforts to combat drug trafficking remain unwavering. We will thoroughly investigate this case and ensure that justice is served,” Ofoyeju said.
Meanwhile, one of the suspects, Christian, claimed economic hardship pushed him into the illegal trade.
According to him, he completed secondary school and trained as a truck driver but was unable to secure employment before being introduced to drug trafficking by a friend.
“My wife has a set of twins for me, and the pressure of financial upkeep has been a challenge. If given another chance, I promise not to deal in drugs again,” he said.