The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two elderly men in Abia State over allegations of supplying illicit drugs to secondary school students, as the agency intensifies its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.
The suspects, identified as 84-year-old Godfrey Orji and 75-year-old Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, were arrested in separate operations carried out in Umuahia.
According to the NDLEA, Obiora was apprehended after intelligence reports linked him to the sale of illegal substances from his patent medicine store located on Club Road, Umuahia.
A search conducted at the premises reportedly led to the recovery of 4.64 kilograms of opioids, including tramadol and diazepam.
In a separate operation, operatives arrested Orji, a pensioner, after he was allegedly caught supplying drugs to students of Saint Silas Secondary School in Old Umuahia.
Investigators said one of the students involved, a 15-year-old SS2 pupil, allegedly confessed that the suspect supplied him with drugs both for personal consumption and resale to fellow students.
While the elderly suspects are expected to face prosecution, the affected students have reportedly been enrolled in counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
NDLEA Records More Arrests Across Nigeria
The agency also announced several other major drug-related arrests and seizures across the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 9.5kg shipment of ADB Chminaca, a synthetic psychoactive substance, hidden inside a package that arrived from China.
Another operation led to the discovery of 300 grams of Loud, a highly potent cannabis strain concealed inside ladies’ handbags at a logistics company.
Also in Lagos, officers raided the residence of a wanted suspect, Lukman Badmus, popularly known as Lukman Ogombo, recovering codeine syrup and cannabis.
A follow-up search linked to the suspect reportedly uncovered 42 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 22.5kg, hidden inside a parked minibus.
In Kogi State, NDLEA officers arrested 33-year-old Tochukwu Onah after allegedly finding 1.03kg of methamphetamine concealed in custard containers during a stop-and-search operation.
The agency also confirmed the arrest of a couple in Ekiti State who had been wanted in connection with the seizure of 117kg of skunk earlier in the year.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State, operatives arrested three suspects and recovered 1,416kg of skunk hidden inside 118 jumbo bags disguised with sawdust.
NDLEA Reaffirms Commitment To Drug War
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers involved in the operations and reiterated the agency’s commitment to reducing drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.
He noted that enforcement efforts are being complemented by anti-drug awareness campaigns in schools, communities, workplaces and religious centres under the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
The latest arrests highlight growing concerns over drug abuse among young people and the role some individuals allegedly play in supplying illicit substances to vulnerable groups.
Source: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
