NDLEA arrests 93-year-old great grandfather and medical doctor in nationwide drug crackdown

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria, 12 April 2026 (NPA) — A 93-year-old great grandfather and a 69-year-old medical doctor are among suspects arrested as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intensified its crackdown on drug cartels and collaborators in intelligence-led operations across Nigeria.

In Abia State, operatives arrested Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu at his home in Umuagbaigba, Amavo Nkwogu village, Osisioma LGA, on 7 April. A search of his residence uncovered 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. Chigbu admitted to smoking skunk since 1959 and said he turned to trafficking about a year ago after working as a truck pusher, painter, and tiler.

The NDLEA also intercepted an Ivorian national, Michael Gohouri, 41, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49kg. Investigations revealed that Gohouri, who ingested the drugs in a Kano hotel, was acting under the instructions of Dr Chudi Daniel Ofomata, a 69-year-old medical doctor. Ofomata was later arrested in Ogun State, where officers recovered controlled substances including promazepam and promethazine injections.

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Further arrests included three suspects in Ogun State with 34kg of skunk, a female suspect in Imo State with 56.2kg, and a couple in Niger State with 118kg hidden in their kitchen. In Borno, officers seized over 42,000 tablets of Rohypnol, 82,700ml of codeine syrup, and 10,000ml of Pentazocine injection from a trailer carrying vehicle parts. The consignment’s owner was arrested in a follow-up operation.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a luxury bus en route to Port Harcourt, recovering 15kg of Scottish Loud cannabis and arresting two suspects. Another operation in Mushin led to the seizure of 26,800 bottles of codeine syrup. In Abuja, a raid on the notorious Tora Bora drug joint resulted in eight arrests and the recovery of 11.5kg of skunk. Meanwhile, in Edo State, two trucks carrying 7,245kg of processed skunk concealed among beer cartons were intercepted, with five suspects detained.

According to a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended officers across multiple states for their efforts, noting the balance between reducing drug supply and demand. He also highlighted ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns in schools, motor parks, and churches nationwide.

The arrests underscore NDLEA’s determination to dismantle drug networks and curb trafficking across Nigeria.