The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old great grandfather and a 69-year-old medical doctor as part of intensified nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks across the country.
The arrests were disclosed on Sunday in a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who detailed a series of coordinated operations conducted in multiple states.
According to the statement, 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. NDLEA said the suspect claimed he had been consuming the substance 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.
He was allegedly found in possession of 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan, Italy, via Addis Ababa.
Further investigation into the Kano arrest led to the apprehension of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, in Ogun State. The NDLEA identified him as the alleged coordinator of the drug movement.
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Substances including promazepam and promethazine injections were reportedly recovered from him during the operation.
The agency also reported several other arrests and significant drug seizures across the country:
In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested at Sango Ota with 34 kilograms of skunk.
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 118 kilograms of skunk were discovered in their residence.
In Borno State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a trailer loaded with pharmaceutical opioids — including Rohypnol, codeine syrup, and pentazocine injections — concealed among spare parts.
In Lagos State, a commercial bus heading 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.
In the Federal Capital Territory, a drug joint in Abuja was raided, resulting in the arrest of eight suspects and the recovery of over 11 kilograms of skunk.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, operatives intercepted two trucks conveying a combined total of 7,245 kilograms of skunk concealed among cartons of beer. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s state commands for sustaining momentum in both drug supply reduction and demand control efforts nationwide.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and curbing substance abuse across Nigeria.