NDLEA arrests 93-year-old great grandpa, doctor over cocaine, skunk trafficking
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 93-year-old great grandpa and a 69-year-old medical doctor among several suspects as the agency intensified its crackdown on drug cartels across the country.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Sunday that the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations that led to the seizure of large consignments of illicit drugs in Abia, Lagos, FCT, Borno, Ogun, Imo, Abia, Edo and Niger states.
In Abia state, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested a 93-year-old suspect, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, at his residence in Umuagbaigba, Amavo Nkwogu village, Osisioma LGA, on April 7.
“A search of his home led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis,” the statement reads.
“The suspect reportedly told operatives that he had ventured into the illicit drug trade about a year ago after previously working as a truck pusher, painter and tiler. He also claimed he had been smoking skunk since 1959.”
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.
“Michael was apprehended during outward clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa. Investigations later revealed the involvement of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, who was subsequently arrested at his residence in Teachers’ Land Estate, Magboro, Ogun state,” Babafemi said.
“Recovered from the doctor during his arrest were 63 grams of promazepam and seven ampoules of promethazine injection.
“In Ogun state, three suspects — Azeez Sanni, Olayinka Oke and Adekunle Adeyemi — were arrested with 34 kilograms of skunk during a raid at Sango Under Bridge in Sango Ota.”
Similarly, in Imo state, NDLEA operatives recovered 56.2 kilograms of skunk from a 26-year-old female suspect along the Onitsha–Owerri road.
In Niger state, a couple — Abdullahi Umar and his wife, Adama Umar — were arrested after 118 kilograms of skunk were discovered in their kitchen during a search of their residence in Takuti village, Lapai LGA.
In Borno state, NDLEA officers intercepted a trailer loaded with vehicle spare parts along the Damaturu–Maiduguri road. The search led to the recovery of 42,290 tablets of Rohypnol, 82,700 millilitres of codeine syrup and 10,000 millilitres of pentazocine injection. The owner of the consignment, Eleje Ibeabuchi, was later arrested.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a luxury bus heading to Port Harcourt along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 15 kilograms of Scottish Loud cannabis concealed in one of the compartments. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
In another operation in the Mushin area of Lagos, officers intercepted a truck conveying assorted goods to Onitsha and recovered 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup. Two suspects were subsequently arrested.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), NDLEA operatives raided a notorious drug joint known as Tora Bora, leading to the arrest of eight suspects and the seizure of 11.516 kilograms of skunk.
One of the largest seizures occurred in Edo state, where operatives intercepted two trucks carrying bags of processed skunk concealed among cartons of beer along Warrake road in Auchi.
One truck contained 3,900 kilograms of skunk, while the second carried 3,345 kilograms, bringing the total to 7,245 kilograms. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools, motor parks and religious groups nationwide.
Babafemi said Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, commended officers across commands for the arrests and seizures recorded during the operations.
He also praised personnel for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts across the country.
