The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug traffickers and dealers, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including two elderly men aged 83 and 78, alongside significant drug seizures across multiple states.
An 83-year-old suspect, Pa John Ofiel, was arrested on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a raid in Aba, Abia State. NDLEA operatives recovered 700 grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in retail sachets. The octogenarian reportedly confessed to being a former shoemaker before venturing into the illicit drug trade.
Similarly, in Ekiti State, a 78-year-old suspect, Ogunjobi Samuel, was arrested on April 30 at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti, where 350 grams of skunk were seized.
In Oyo State, two women Rebecca King, 24, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, 31 were apprehended in connection with 1.925kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis. While King was intercepted along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Opeyemi was arrested in a follow-up operation in Ibadan.
Also in Ibadan, a suspected drug kingpin, Taofik Adeyemi, 49, was arrested alongside his associate Mustapha Oyerinde, 28, after months of evading authorities. NDLEA recovered 3.085kg of skunk and a Toyota Camry vehicle during the operation.
In Osun State, a 65-year-old driver, Oladayo Awoyemi, was arrested at Ile-Ife toll gate while transporting 7kg of skunk and 15 grams of methamphetamine. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the drugs, Ifedayo Babalola, 40.
NDLEA operatives also recorded major seizures in the North-East. In Borno State, Yahaya Shehu, 27, was arrested with 76,440 pills of Tramadol, while another operation led to the arrest of Magaji Isa, 30, and the alleged owner, Abdulhamid Mahmud, 28, linked to 14,000 capsules of the drug.
Further interceptions along the Abuja-Jos highway resulted in the seizure of 290kg of skunk from two suspects, Ojo Major Ebose and Chika Obiechefula. In Jigawa State, authorities confiscated 49,800 capsules of Tramadol from Ahmed Garba and Sale Mohammed.
In Lagos, a raid at Awolowo Market in Mushin led to the recovery of 740kg of skunk, while in Edo State, a suspect, Godstime Godspower, 25, was arrested with assorted illicit substances including Loud, Colorado, Tramadol, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization programs in schools, communities, and workplaces nationwide.
Commending the efforts of officers across affected states, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, urged continued momentum in balancing drug supply reduction with preventive education initiatives.
