The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor following a series of intelligence-led operations across eight states, including Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Edo, Niger, Imo, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory.
In Abia State, operatives arrested Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, 93, at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area, recovering 7.7 kilogrammes of skunk. The suspect told investigators he had been smoking skunk since 1959 and turned it into a business just over a year ago, after working as a truck pusher, painter, and tiler.
In a separate operation, the agency uncovered an international cocaine trafficking ring involving an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, who was intercepted at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilogrammes. Further investigations led to the arrest of Dr Chudi Daniel Ofomata, a 69-year-old medical practitioner, in Ogun State. Controlled substances, including promazepam and promethazine injections, were recovered from his possession.
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the arrests followed a broader strategy targeting both local and international drug syndicates.
Other seizures across the country included:
· Niger State: A couple, Abdullahi and Adama Umar, were found with 118 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in their home.
· Borno State: A trailer transporting spare parts was intercepted, yielding 42,290 tablets of Rohypnol, alongside large volumes of codeine syrup and pentazocine injection.
· Lagos State: Operatives seized 15 kilogrammes of “Scottish Loud” from a commercial bus and 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup in Mushin.
· Edo State: Two trucks carrying a combined 7,245 kilogrammes of skunk hidden among cartons of beer were intercepted, with five suspects arrested.
Commending the officers, NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa praised their commitment and effectiveness. He emphasised the need for a balanced approach—reducing both drug supply and demand—through the agency’s ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
