Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 93-year-old man, a 69-year-old medical doctor, and several other suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
The agency disclosed that the arrests were part of intensified nationwide crackdowns on drug cartels and their collaborators, leading to multiple seizures of illicit substances in states including Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Imo, Edo, Niger, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In Abia State, operatives arrested 93-year-old Friday Ahukanna Chigbu at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area, where 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered. The suspect reportedly admitted to engaging in the drug trade for over a year.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, apprehended a 41-year-old Ivorian, Gohouri Michael, during passenger clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan. He was found with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms. Further investigation led to the arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Chudi Daniel Ofomata, in Ogun State, identified as a key figure coordinating the trafficking operation. Recovered from him were 63 grams of promazepam and ampoules of promethazine injection.
In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested with 34 kilograms of skunk during a raid in Sango Ota, while in Imo State, a 26-year-old woman was apprehended with 56.2 kilograms of the substance along the Onitsha–Owerri road.
In Niger State, a couple was arrested after operatives recovered 118 kilograms of skunk from their residence in Lapai Local Government Area.
A major interception in Borno State led to the recovery of over 42,000 tablets of Rohypnol, 82,700 millilitres of codeine syrup, and 10,000 millilitres of pentazocine injection from a trailer transporting vehicle spare parts. The owner of the consignment was later arrested.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial bus along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, recovering 15 kilograms of a strong cannabis strain concealed within the vehicle. Two suspects were arrested. In a separate operation in Mushin, officers seized 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup from a truck heading to Onitsha, leading to the arrest of two individuals.
In Abuja, eight suspects were arrested during a raid on a known drug hotspot, where over 11 kilograms of skunk were seized.
One of the largest seizures occurred in Edo State, where NDLEA operatives intercepted two trucks carrying a combined 7,245 kilograms of processed skunk concealed among cartons of beer. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the consignment.
The agency also said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued across schools, motor parks, and communities nationwide.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across various commands for their efforts, urging them to sustain the balance between reducing drug supply and demand through enforcement and public awareness initiatives.