The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its offensive against drug trafficking with the interception of opioid consignments worth over N3.2 billion at the Apapa and Onne seaports, as well as the arrest of multiple suspects, including two octogenarians, in coordinated operations across the country.
Among the high-profile arrests is 80-year-old Ayuba Ashiru, a previously convicted drug trafficker, who was apprehended again on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the Dogarawa area of Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State. NDLEA operatives recovered 2.3kg of skunk from his residence. Ayuba admitted to being involved in the illicit drug trade for 46 years, despite serving a 10-year jail term between 2014 and 2024.
In a separate raid in Abia State, NDLEA operatives stormed the residence of 82-year-old Mrs. Uloma Uchechi Sunday in Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village on Saturday, May 17, arrested her and her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi. Recovered items included methamphetamine, tramadol, skunk, and N130,600 in cash. The elderly suspect confessed that she and her daughter took over the family drug business after the death of her son, who had started it.
At the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State, a container carrying three million pills of tapentadol and carisoprodol royal 225mg, valued at over N2.1 billion, was intercepted during a joint examination with Customs and other security agencies on May 14.
A similar seizure occurred at the Apapa Seaport, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 13, where another container falsely declared as car parts from India was found to conceal 169,800 bottles of codeine syrup, valued at N1.1 billion.
In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives arrested Abdulwahab Quadir and Abdulraheem Ismail in the Gegele area of Ilorin with 199,200 pills of tramadol. Further raids at Favour Lodge led to the arrest of Ibrahim Oladimeji Abdulateef, an HND 1 student of Kwara State Polytechnic, who was caught with 650 grams of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, already packaged in 149 cups for sale.
In Lagos, 250 grams of cocaine concealed in a female headgear destined for Australia was intercepted at a courier company by NDLEA’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation on Friday, May 16.
In Niger State, operatives intercepted a vehicle with 143kg of skunk and arrested Idris Kamal, while follow-up operations led to the arrest of Bello Aliyu (alias Liti). On the same day, 14.3kg of Loud was recovered from Emmanuel Hassan at Chachi junction, Kaduna Road.
Other arrests included:
Welman Kengbo (60) with 594.8kg of skunk in Karu, Nasarawa State.
Oyenuga Toheeb with 67.5kg of skunk on Lekki/Epe expressway, Lagos.
Shafiu Ismail (22) with 5,350 pills of tramadol and diazepam in Jalingo, Taraba State.
Tijjani Mohammed (35) with 198kg of skunk in Garki LGA, Jigawa State.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives patrolling the Abuja–Kaduna highway on May 16 arrested Ismail Isah (29) with an AK-47 rifle and two magazines hidden inside a sack of maize. The suspect will be handed over to relevant security authorities for further investigation.
The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy also continued with sensitization campaigns held in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Osun, and Rivers states.
Meanwhile,the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has commended the dedication of officers across the various commands and urged continued commitment to both drug supply and demand reduction efforts.
