NDLEA nabs 93-year-old, doctor in sweeping drug crackdown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor in a series of coordinated operations that cut across several states, exposing both local and international drug networks.

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the agency said the intelligence-driven raids covered Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Edo, Niger, Imo, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory, leading to multiple arrests and large drug seizures.

One of the most striking arrests came in Abia State, where operatives picked up 93-year-old Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu at his home in Osisioma Local Government Area. Officers recovered 7.7 kilograms of skunk from the premises.

In his statement, the suspect admitted that “he had been smoking skunk since 1959, before turning it into a business over a year ago.” He told investigators he moved into the trade after years of working as a truck pusher, painter, and tiler.

The agency also uncovered an international trafficking attempt involving an Ivorian national intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Chudi Daniel Ofomata in Ogun State, where operatives recovered controlled substances, including promazepam and promethazine injections.

NDLEA described the arrest as a major breakthrough in dismantling a cross-border drug network.

Elsewhere, operations in Niger State led to the arrest of a couple found with 118 kilograms of skunk hidden in their residence. In Borno, officers intercepted a trailer loaded with spare parts and uncovered 42,290 tablets of Rohypnol alongside large quantities of codeine syrup and pentazocine injection.

Lagos operations also recorded significant seizures, including 15 kilograms of “Scottish Loud” recovered from a commercial bus and 26,800 bottles of codeine syrup confiscated in Mushin.

In Edo State, operatives made one of the largest busts, intercepting two trucks carrying 7,245 kilograms of skunk concealed among cartons of beer, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved, noting that the latest successes reflect the agency’s sustained push against drug trafficking.

He added that the NDLEA remains committed to reducing both supply and demand through enforcement and public awareness under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.