93-year-old among suspects as Nigeria steps up anti-drug crackdown

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

A 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor are among a number of suspects arrested in a series of nationwide anti-drug operations by Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The arrests followed intelligence-led raids across several states, including Abia, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Edo, Imo, Borno and the Federal Capital Territory, where large quantities of cocaine, cannabis and other illicit substances were seized.

According to a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, the 93-year-old suspect, identified as Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was arrested at his home in Abia State with 7.7 kilograms of cannabis. The agency said a separate investigation led to the arrest of an Ivorian national at Kano airport with 1.49 kilograms of cocaine, and a follow-up operation in Ogun State resulted in the arrest of a 69-year-old doctor alleged to be linked to thetrafficking network.

The NDLEA said additional operations led to multiple arrests and seizures across the country. In Niger State, a couple were detained after 118 kilograms of cannabis were found in their home, while in Edo State more than seven tonnes of the drug were intercepted in two trucks concealed among cartons of beer. In Lagos, officers recovered cannabis and thousands of bottles of codeine syrup in separate interceptions, while in Borno State, a large cache of controlled drugs hidden in a trailer was seized.

In Abuja, eight suspects were arrested during a raid on a known drug hub, where over 11 kilograms of cannabis were recovered. Similar operations in Ogun and Imo states also led to the seizure of significant quantities of the drug and the arrest of several suspects.

The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign also continued nationwide, targeting schools, transport workers andcommunity groups with sensitisation programmes. NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), commended officers involved in the operations, urging continued efforts to balance drug supply reduction with public awareness initiatives.