NDLEA Detains 93-Year-Old, Medical Doctor for Alleged Skunk and Cocaine Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor in a series of intelligence-driven operations spanning several states.

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy for the agency, the operations targeted drug syndicates in Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Edo, Niger, Imo, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory, resulting in the seizure of significant quantities of illegal drugs and the disruption of major trafficking networks.

In Abia State, NDLEA officers arrested 93-year-old Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu at his home in Osisioma Local Government Area, where they recovered 7.7 kilograms of cannabis. Chigbu reportedly confessed to using cannabis since 1959 and said he started selling it a little over a year ago, following a long career as a truck pusher, painter, and tiler.

The agency also uncovered an international trafficking scheme involving Ivorian national Gohouri Michael, who was intercepted at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms. Further investigation led to the arrest of Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, a 69-year-old medical doctor in Ogun State, who was found in possession of controlled substances including promazepam and promethazine injections.

NDLEA described these arrests as a major step in dismantling the network behind the attempted drug export. Babafemi noted that the operations form part of a nationwide strategy to disrupt both local and international drug syndicates through intelligence-led interventions.

Other operations yielded similar results. In Niger State, a couple—Abdullahi Umar and Adama Umar—were caught with 118 kilograms of cannabis hidden in their home. In Ogun and Imo States, multiple suspects were apprehended with large quantities of cannabis.

In Borno State, NDLEA intercepted a trailer carrying spare parts and discovered a haul of illicit pharmaceuticals, including 42,290 Rohypnol tablets and large amounts of codeine syrup and pentazocine injections. The owner was later arrested in a follow-up operation.

In Lagos, officers intercepted a commercial bus carrying 15 kilograms of “Scottish Loud” and seized 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a separate Mushin raid.

One of the largest seizures occurred in Edo State, where NDLEA intercepted two trucks loaded with 7,245 kilograms of cannabis hidden among beer cartons, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

NDLEA Chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers on their dedication and effectiveness. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to both enforcement and prevention, praising the recent arrests and seizures and highlighting ongoing advocacy under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. Marwa stressed the importance of a balanced approach, combining interdiction efforts with public awareness to reduce both the supply and demand for illicit drugs.