Abubakar Siddiq Ibn Usman
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking across Nigeria, intercepting opioids worth over N3.2 billion at major seaports and arresting several suspects, including two octogenarians and a polytechnic student, in a nationwide sweep.
Among those arrested are 80-year-old Ayuba Ashiru, a previously convicted drug dealer who served a 10-year jail term from 2014 to 2024, and 82-year-old Mrs. Uloma Uchechi Sunday, arrested alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, in Abia State.
Ashiru, apprehended on May 14 at Dogarawa area, Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna, was found with 2.3kg of skunk. He admitted to engaging in the illicit trade for 46 years. The Uchechis were caught with methamphetamine, tramadol, skunk, and N130,600 cash at their Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village home. The grandmother confessed that she and her daughter took over the business after her son’s death.
In major port operations, NDLEA operatives intercepted a container with 3 million pills of tapentadol and carisoprodol royal 225mg worth N2.1 billion at Port Harcourt port on May 14. Similarly, another container from India declared as “new car parts” was seized at Apapa Port, Lagos, revealing 169,800 bottles of codeine syrup valued at over N1.1 billion on May 13.
In Kwara State, officers recovered 199,200 tramadol pills from suspects Abdulwahab Quadir and Abdulraheem Ismail in Ilorin. At Favour Lodge, HND 1 Laboratory Science Technology student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ibrahim Oladimeji Abdulateef, was arrested with 650g of Loud cannabis, pre-packed in 149 cups for sale to fellow students.
NDLEA operatives also intercepted 250g of cocaine concealed in female headgear destined for Australia at a courier firm in Lagos. In Niger State, 143kg of skunk in 316 blocks was recovered from a Toyota Carina on the Mokwa-Jebba road, and suspect Idris Kamal, 35, was arrested. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of Bello Aliyu (alias Liti), 39, the actual owner. On the same day, 14.3kg of Loud was seized from Emmanuel Hassan, 26, at Chachi junction, Kaduna road.
In Nasarawa, 60-year-old Welman Kengbo was caught with 594.8kg of skunk in Karu on May 16, while Lagos operatives arrested Oyenuga Toheeb with 67.5kg of skunk on the Lekki/Epe expressway on May 15.
In Taraba, 5,350 pills of tramadol and diazepam were found on Shafiu Ismail, 22, in Sabonlayin, Jalingo LGA. In Jigawa, Tijjani Mohammed, 35, was arrested with 198kg of skunk in Malamawa, Garki LGA.
An alarming discovery was made on the Abuja-Kaduna highway on May 16 when 29-year-old Ismail Isah was found with an AK-47 rifle and two magazines hidden in a maize sack. He will be handed over to the appropriate security agency.
As part of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, NDLEA also carried out sensitization lectures at Supreme International School, Fagge (Kano), Al-Arifeen International Academy (Kaduna), Nadado Primary School (Katsina), Ila Orangun Grammar School (Osun), and Government Secondary School, Onne (Rivers).
NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers across the country, including DOGI and state commands, for their coordinated efforts in drug supply and demand reduction.
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Rabiu M. Hamza
Agency News
