In a sweeping crackdown on drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested two octogenarians and intercepted illicit drug consignments valued at over N3.2 billion across multiple states and seaports in Nigeria.
An 80-year-old man, Ayuba Ashiru, and an 82-year-old woman, Mrs. Uloma Uchechi, alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, were among top suspects apprehended during nationwide operations.
Ashiru, a convicted drug trafficker who served a 10-year sentence from 2014 to 2024, was arrested last Wednesday in Sabon Gari, Kaduna State. Officers recovered 2.3 kilograms of cannabis, locally known as skunk, from his residence. He admitted to being in the trade for over 46 years.
In Abia State, NDLEA agents raided the home of Mrs. Uchechi in Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village. Methamphetamine, tramadol, cannabis, and N130,600 in cash were seized. She and her daughter confessed to inheriting the illicit trade from her late son.
At the Port Harcourt Port complex in Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA officers—working with Customs and other security agencies—intercepted 3 million pills of tapentadol and carisoprodol, estimated at N2.1 billion in street value.
A similar operation at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos uncovered 169,800 bottles of codeine syrup hidden in a container falsely declared as automobile parts. The seizure is valued at over N1.1 billion.
In other raids:
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In Ilorin, Kwara State, 199,200 tramadol pills were seized from two suspects, while a polytechnic student was arrested with 650 grams of cannabis known as Loud.
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At a Lagos courier firm, 250 grams of cocaine concealed in female headwear bound for Australia was intercepted.
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NDLEA operatives in Niger State arrested two suspects transporting 143 kilograms of cannabis, with a follow-up operation nabbing the consignment’s owner.
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In Nasarawa State, a 60-year-old man was caught with nearly 595 kilograms of skunk, while another suspect in Lagos was found with 67.5 kilograms.
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Taraba and Jigawa States saw further seizures, including tramadol, diazepam, and 198 kilograms of cannabis.
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On the Abuja-Kaduna highway, a 29-year-old man was intercepted with an AK-47 rifle and two magazines hidden in a sack of maize.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrests and seizures in a statement on Sunday, noting ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy efforts nationwide.
Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers for their efforts in balancing supply suppression with demand reduction across all commands.
