FIC Report (Edo State) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has warned patent medicine vendors not to misuse their operating licenses as a cover for the illegal sale of controlled and hard drugs.
The caution was delivered by the Commander of Narcotics in Edo State, Mitchell Ofoyeju, during a one-day anti-drug abuse workshop organised for members of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers, Edo State chapter. The event took place at the Indoor Sports Hall of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City and drew over 2,000 participants from Edo South.
Ofoyeju explained that the workshop was designed to strengthen collaboration between regulators and grassroots healthcare providers, while also enhancing the capacity of vendors to operate within the law. He stressed that patent medicine dealers play a crucial role in combating drug abuse, describing them as “gatekeepers” at the frontline of drug distribution.
He warned that unethical practices—such as the sale of prescription drugs, psychoactive substances, and codeine-based cough syrups without proper authorization—pose serious risks, including addiction, family breakdown, and the loss of young people’s potential.
“The line between legitimate medical practice and drug abuse is very thin,” he said, urging vendors to uphold professional standards and act responsibly in dispensing medications.
While acknowledging the vital services provided by medicine vendors, the NDLEA commander made it clear that the agency would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found violating drug control laws. He added that the initiative aligns with the mandate of the NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Mohamed Buba Marwa, to promote public awareness, strengthen supply chain monitoring, and enforce compliance.
Ofoyeju noted that the workshop also aimed to equip participants with the skills to identify signs of drug abuse, reinforce ethical practices, and encourage information sharing to support enforcement efforts. He added that similar programmes would be extended to Edo Central and Edo North for wider impact.
In her remarks, the Edo State President of NAPPMED, Omueti Victoria, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to working with regulatory bodies. She emphasized that members, as healthcare providers under the supervision of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, would continue to support efforts to curb drug abuse in the state.
The workshop underscores a growing shift toward community-based strategies in Nigeria’s fight against substance abuse, leveraging local healthcare providers to tackle the problem at its source.
Signed:
Omoluogbe Ruth
FIC Benin city
22nd April, 2026
