NDLEA Intensifies Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
Authorities from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended two elderly men, aged 83 and 78, alongside several other individuals in a series of coordinated anti-drug operations across various states. These arrests mark a significant escalation in the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Key Arrests in Abia and Ekiti States
The 83-year-old suspect, Pa John Ofiel, was detained last Tuesday during a raid in the Samek area of Powerline, Abia State. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the operation was initiated based on credible intelligence. Officers seized 700 grams of Skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, which was packaged for retail sale. Upon questioning, Ofiel disclosed that he had previously worked as a shoemaker before venturing into drug distribution.
Similarly, in Ekiti State, 78-year-old Ogunjobi Samuel was arrested last Thursday at his residence in Ilupeju Ekiti. Authorities discovered 350 grams of skunk at his home, raising alarm about the increasing involvement of older individuals in drug trafficking activities.
Operations in Oyo State Yield Further Seizures
The NDLEA’s crackdown extended to Oyo State, where two women, Rebecca King, 24, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, 31, were apprehended in connection with the seizure of 1.925 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis variant. King was arrested along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while Opeyemi was detained shortly after while attempting to collect a shipment on Ibadan Iwo Road.
In another significant operation in Ibadan, NDLEA agents captured Taofik Adeyemi, 49, a suspected drug dealer who had evaded law enforcement for months. He was arrested at his residence in the Erunmu area along with an accomplice, Mustapha Oyelinde, 28. Authorities reported the recovery of 3.085 kilograms of skunk and a Toyota Camry during the raid. Notably, two of Adeyemi’s alleged associates had been arrested in December and are currently facing prosecution.
Expanded Efforts in Osun State
In Osun State, law enforcement apprehended a 65-year-old driver, Oladayo Awoyemi, while he was transporting 7 kilograms of skunk along the Ibadan-Ilesha Expressway. A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of the alleged shipment owner, Ifedayo Babalola, in Ilesha, further emphasizing the NDLEA’s commitment to tackling drug distribution networks.
Seizures Across Multiple Regions
In the Northeast, NDLEA operatives intercepted a substantial haul of opioids in Borno State, arresting a 27-year-old suspect, Yahaya Shehu, who was found with 76,440 tablets of Tramadol. A separate operation also led to the seizure of 14,000 tablets, with additional arrests made in connection to this shipment. In Kaduna State, the agency recovered 290 kilograms of compressed cannabis from two suspects during a major seizure along the Abuja-Jos Expressway. Meanwhile, in Jigawa State, nearly 50,000 tramadol capsules were confiscated from two individuals during a street operation in Hadejia.
Significant Recoveries in Lagos and Edo States
Recently, NDLEA operatives conducted a raid at Awolowo Market in Mushin, Lagos, where they discovered an impressive 740 kilograms of skunk. In Edo State, a suspect known as Gods Time Gods Power was arrested with a variety of illegal drugs, including Loud, Colorado, Tramadol, Swinol, and Methamphetamine. These significant finds highlight the continued threat posed by drug trafficking in the region.
Ongoing Awareness Campaigns and Operational Success
Beyond enforcement actions, the NDLEA is proactively pursuing its national War on Drug Abuse (WADA) awareness campaign, targeting schools, religious centers, and community organizations. Recent outreach events have taken place in Niger, Kano, Anambra, Lagos, and Edo States. NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the achievements of operational teams across the country, underscoring the need to balance aggressive supply reduction strategies with ongoing public education initiatives.
The recent wave of arrests, particularly those implicating older individuals, underscores a troubling trend in Nigeria’s drug trade, revealing that drug trafficking is attracting participants across a spectrum of ages amid intensified enforcement efforts.
