Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 93-year-old great-grandfather, a 69-year-old medical doctor, and several other suspects in a sweeping nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks spanning Abia, Lagos, Kano, Ogun, Edo, Niger, Imo and other states.
The arrests, carried out in a series of intelligence-led operations over the past weeks, also led to the interception of large consignments of cocaine, skunk and pharmaceutical opioids, including multiple arrests linked to an alleged international trafficking syndicate.
According to the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the operations exposed “deeply embedded local collaborators” working with foreign drug couriers to move illicit substances through Nigerian airports and land routes.
Nonagenarian arrested with cannabis stash in Abia
In one of the most striking cases, NDLEA operatives arrested 93-year-old Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu at his residence in Umuagbaigba, Amavo Nkwogu, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.
A search of his home reportedly led to the recovery of 7.7 kilogrammes of skunk.
The nonagenarian, according to investigators, admitted to long-term involvement with cannabis, claiming he had smoked the substance since 1959 before turning it into a business venture in recent years.
In a separate operation, NDLEA arrested a 69-year-old medical doctor, identified as Dr Chudi Daniel Ofomata, over his alleged role in coordinating a cocaine trafficking ring linked to an Ivorian courier.
The suspect, according to the agency, was tracked to his residence at Teachers’ Land Estate in Magboro, Ogun State, before being transferred to Kano for further interrogation.
His arrest followed the interception of an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49kg.
Investigations revealed that the suspect had travelled through Lagos and Enugu before heading to Kano, where he allegedly ingested the drugs in preparation for an international flight to Milan, Italy, via Addis Ababa.
NDLEA said the courier was promised €5,000 upon successful delivery of the consignment.
Lagos, Ogun, Edo raids yield massive seizures
Across other states, the anti-narcotics agency recorded significant breakthroughs.
In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested at Sango-Ota with 34kg of skunk, while another female suspect was intercepted along the Onitsha–Owerri expressway in Imo State with 56.2kg of the same substance.
In Niger State, a couple—Abdullahi Umar and his wife Adama Umar—were arrested after operatives discovered 118kg of skunk hidden in their kitchen.
In Edo State, NDLEA intercepted two trucks loaded with concealed cannabis weighing over 7,200kg, reportedly destined for Abuja. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the shipment.
Codeine, Rohypnol seizures in Borno operation
In Borno State, operatives intercepted a truck loaded with vehicle spare parts concealing large quantities of controlled pharmaceuticals, including over 42,000 tablets of Rohypnol and more than 82,000 millilitres of codeine syrup.
The owner of the consignment was later arrested in a follow-up operation.
Abuja, Lagos joints raided, suspects arrested
In Abuja, NDLEA stormed a known drug hotspot, arresting eight suspects and recovering over 11kg of skunk.
In Lagos, separate operations led to the interception of a luxury bus and a truck conveying illicit drugs disguised as goods. Two separate arrests were made, including suspects linked to codeine syrup trafficking.
NDLEA intensifies nationwide war on drugs
The agency said the coordinated raids are part of its ongoing “War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)” campaign aimed at dismantling drug cartels and reducing substance abuse across the country.
Babafemi added that the agency would continue to target both “street-level dealers and high-profile sponsors” of narcotics networks.
The NDLEA has in recent months intensified surveillance at airports, motor parks, and highways amid rising concerns over drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
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