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A Cross River NDLEA operation has led to the arrest of 262 suspected drug offenders in seven months, with operatives also destroying hectares of cannabis farms and seizing tonnes of illicit substances across the state.
Cross River NDLEA arrests and seizures
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s Cross River command said the 262 suspects, comprising 207 males and 55 females, were arrested between November 2025 and May 2026. The figures were released by the state commander as the agency reviewed an intensified crackdown on narcotics.
During the period, operatives seized large quantities of drugs, including more than 6,397 kilogrammes of cannabis, alongside cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and various psychotropic substances. The agency described the haul as one of its most significant in the state in recent memory.
Cannabis farms destroyed
The command reported destroying about eight hectares of cannabis farms in the Uyanga community of Akamkpa Local Government Area in two operations in April. Officers say clearing the plantations cuts off supply at the source and disrupts the networks that move the drug to other parts of the country.
Cross River’s forests and remote farmland have long been exploited by cannabis cultivators, making sustained raids difficult but essential to the agency’s strategy.
Convictions and rehabilitation
Beyond arrests, the command secured 28 convictions, made up of 20 males and eight females, while 132 cases remain pending before the High Court and 61 others have been formally charged. Officials say the courts are central to ensuring that seizures translate into lasting deterrence.
The agency also highlighted its counselling work. Its rehabilitation unit supported 138 people, including 106 males and 32 females, reflecting a push to treat drug dependence as a health issue, not only a crime.
Why it matters
The Cross River NDLEA report underscores the scale of Nigeria’s drug challenge and the strain it places on communities and families. Cannabis cultivation fuels addiction, crime and the diversion of farmland away from food production.
By pairing arrests and farm destruction with counselling and prosecutions, the agency is signalling a broader approach to the problem. Whether the strategy reduces supply over the long term will depend on consistent funding, court follow-through and support for those seeking to recover.
A national drug challenge
Cross River’s figures form part of a wider national struggle against drug trafficking and abuse. The NDLEA has recorded large seizures and thousands of arrests across the country in recent years, targeting everything from locally grown cannabis to imported opioids and synthetic drugs. Officials say drug abuse fuels crime, mental health problems and insecurity, making enforcement a public-safety priority.
Campaigners stress that supply-side raids must be matched by demand reduction. Awareness campaigns in schools, accessible rehabilitation centres and community support can help curb addiction before it takes hold. The agency’s decision to highlight its counselling work alongside arrests suggests a growing recognition that locking up users alone will not solve a problem rooted in poverty, unemployment and limited opportunities for young people.
Viorah TV will continue to monitor anti-narcotics operations and their outcomes across Nigeria.
