The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor in a sweeping, intelligence-led operation targeting drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the coordinated raids spanned multiple states, including Lagos State, Ogun State, Abia State, Edo State, Niger State, Imo State, Borno State, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Arrest of 93-Year-Old Suspect
In Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested 93-year-old Friday Ahukanna Chigbu at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area. Officers recovered 7.7 kilograms of skunk from the premises.
According to the agency, the suspect admitted to long-term use of the substance, stating he had been smoking it since 1959 before venturing into its sale over a year ago. He reportedly turned to the trade after years of working as a truck pusher, painter, and tiler.
Medical Doctor Linked to International Trafficking
In a related development, NDLEA uncovered an international drug trafficking ring involving an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, who was intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.
Investigations led to the arrest of Chudi Daniel Ofomata, a 69-year-old medical practitioner based in Ogun State. NDLEA operatives recovered controlled substances, including promazepam and promethazine injections, from him. The agency described the arrest as a major breakthrough in dismantling an export syndicate.
Seizures Across States
In Niger State, a couple—Abdullahi Umar and Adama Umar—were apprehended with 118 kilograms of skunk concealed in their residence.
In Borno State, operatives intercepted a trailer transporting spare parts and discovered a large cache of illicit pharmaceuticals, including 42,290 tablets of Rohypnol, alongside codeine syrup and pentazocine injections. The owner of the consignment was later arrested.
Operations in Lagos State led to the interception of a commercial bus carrying 15 kilograms of “Scottish Loud,” while a separate raid in Mushin resulted in the seizure of 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
In Edo State, NDLEA recorded one of its largest busts, intercepting two trucks loaded with a combined 7,245 kilograms of skunk concealed among cartons of beer. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
NDLEA Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved in the operations, praising their professionalism and commitment.
He reaffirmed the agency’s dual focus on enforcement and prevention, stressing the importance of sustained public sensitisation through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
The agency noted that the latest operations form part of an ongoing strategy to disrupt both local and international drug trafficking networks while reducing demand through advocacy efforts nationwide.
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2026-04-11