The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has identified the expanding cultivation of cannabis in forest reserves and the increasing involvement of schoolchildren in illicit drug activities as critical obstacles undermining the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
Commander Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) at the Command Headquarters in Benin City. He described the development as a frustration to efforts aimed at curbing the production, distribution, and consumption of illegal substances.
Dr. Ofoyeju emphasized that the battle against drug abuse is a collective responsibility no single agency can win alone. He outlined the multifaceted nature of the challenge, citing the environmental degradation caused by widespread cannabis farming in forests, the exploitation of local farmers by criminal networks, and the alarming trend of children being drawn into the drug Trade. He reiterated that substance abuse is a chronic relapsing brain disorder requiring comprehensive prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies.
The delegation was led by the Chairman of the PSN Edo State Chapter, Dr. Chris Oisakede, and the ACPN Chairman, Dr. Nwachukwu Memili, alongside other executive members. They were received by Commander Ofoyeju and the Command’s senior management team, including Deputy State Commander DCN Victor Isibor Chuks.
Dr. Oisakede commended the Command’s achievements and its holistic approach combining supply reduction, demand reduction, and public enlightenment. He assured the NDLEA of the unwavering support of community pharmacists, who occupy a strategic position through daily public interaction. He also praised the agency’s alternative livelihood initiative for cannabis farmers as a progressive step.
Dr. Memili highlighted the role of community pharmacists as the technical arm of the PSN in ensuring ethical drug distribution. In a show of solidarity, he announced plans for a free medical outreach programme for officers and men of the Command.
Dr. Grace O. Ogieva, Managing Director of VJ Essex Pharmacy and a former PSN Chairman, acknowledged the progress made in reducing illicit substance distribution through licensed pharmacies. She advocated for expanding sensitization campaigns to include pharmaceutical companies, transport unions, religious institutions, and community groups, proposing a broader scope of stakeholder collaboration.
The visit was described as a critical step in intensifying the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, signaling a strengthened partnership between law enforcement and the pharmaceutical community to address the evolving dynamics of drug trafficking and abuse in the state.
