By Deborah Nnamdi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor as part of intensified nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks.
The agency disclosed the arrests in a statement on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, detailing multiple raids and seizures across several states.
According to the NDLEA, the nonagenarian, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was apprehended on April 7, 2026, at his residence in Umuagbaigba, Amavo Nkwogu village, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State. A search of his home reportedly led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
The suspect allegedly told operatives he had been using cannabis since 1959 and ventured into drug trafficking over a year ago.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives uncovered an international drug trafficking link following the arrest of an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano. He was reportedly caught with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr Chudi Daniel Ofomata, in Ogun State. The agency identified him as the alleged coordinator of the drug movement, adding that substances including promazepam and promethazine injections were recovered from him.
The NDLEA also reported a series of arrests and drug seizures in other parts of the country. In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested with 34 kilograms of skunk at Sango Ota, while in Imo State, a 26-year-old woman was apprehended with 56.2 kilograms of the same substance.
In Niger State, a couple was arrested after operatives discovered 118 kilograms of skunk in their residence. In Borno State, officers intercepted a trailer conveying pharmaceutical opioids, including Rohypnol, codeine syrup, and pentazocine injections concealed among spare parts.
In Lagos, a commercial bus en route to Port Harcourt was intercepted along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leading to the seizure of 15 kilograms of “Scottish Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, and the arrest of two suspects. In a separate operation in Mushin, officers recovered 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup from a truck.
Operatives also raided a drug joint in Abuja, arresting eight suspects and recovering over 11 kilograms of skunk.
In Edo State, two trucks carrying a combined 7,245 kilograms of skunk concealed in cartons of beer were intercepted, with five suspects arrested in connection with the seizure.
Commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s commands for sustaining efforts in drug supply reduction and demand control across the country.
