NDLEA Nabs 93-Year-Old Grandpa, Medical Doctor Over Drug Trafficking

NDLEA Nabs 93-Year-Old Grandpa, Medical Doctor Over Drug Trafficking

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 93-year-old great-grandfather and a 69-year-old medical doctor in a sweeping, intelligence-led operation targeting drug cartels across multiple states.

The arrests were part of intensified nationwide raids that also led to the interception of large consignments of illicit drugs in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Borno, Ogun, Imo, Abia, Niger and Edo states.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the nonagenarian, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was arrested at his residence in Abia State.

A search of his home led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. The suspect reportedly confessed to a long history of drug use.

“He claimed he had been smoking skunk since 1959 before turning it into business over a year ago,” the statement noted.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a 41-year-old Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.

Investigations into the case led to the arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, in Ogun State. He was identified as the alleged mastermind coordinating the drug movement.

NDLEA said, “Further investigation revealed that Gohouri had a shadowy figure behind the scene… the hidden figure was eventually discovered to be Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata.”

Recovered from the doctor at the point of arrest were 63 grams of promazepam and seven ampoules of promethazine injection.

The agency also recorded multiple arrests and seizures in other parts of the country. In Ogun State, three suspects were apprehended with 34 kilograms of skunk, while in Imo State, a 26-year-old woman was caught with 56.2 kilograms of the substance along the Onitsha–Owerri road.

In Niger State, a couple ; Abdullahi Umar and his wife, Adama  were arrested after operatives recovered 118 kilograms of skunk from their residence.

In Borno State, NDLEA officers intercepted a trailer loaded with spare parts and discovered 42,290 tablets of Rohypnol, 82,700 millilitres of codeine syrup, and 10,000 millilitres of pentazocine injection. The owner of the consignment was later arrested.

Similarly, in Lagos, operatives intercepted a luxury bus along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, recovering 15 kilograms of “Scottish Loud,” another strong strain of cannabis, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

Another operation in Mushin led to the seizure of 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup and the arrest of two suspects.

In Abuja, eight suspects were arrested during a raid of the notorious Tora Bora drug joint, where 11.516 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

A major breakthrough was also recorded in Edo State, where NDLEA operatives intercepted two trucks conveying a combined 7,245 kilograms of processed skunk concealed among cartons of beer. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Meanwhile, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued nationwide, with sensitisation programmes held in schools, motor parks, and communities across several states.

Reacting to the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across the various commands for their efforts.

He praised them “for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts,” while urging sustained vigilance in the fight against illicit drugs.