The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two elderly men, aged 84 and 75, over alleged involvement in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to secondary school students in Umuahia, Abia state.
The suspects, identified as 84-year-old Godfrey Orji and 75-year-old Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, were arrested in separate intelligence-led operations carried out by NDLEA operatives.
According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s director of media and advocacy, Obiora was apprehended on June 19 after credible intelligence linked him to the sale of illicit substances to students and other users from his patent medicine store.
Babafemi disclosed that a search of the premises led to the recovery of 4.64 kilograms of controlled drugs, including tramadol and diazepam.
In a separate operation, Orji, a pensioner, was arrested after he was allegedly caught supplying drugs to students of Saint Silas Secondary School in Old Umuahia. Security personnel reportedly intercepted him before handing him over to the police and subsequently the NDLEA.
Investigations revealed that one of the students, a 15-year-old Senior Secondary School Two pupil, admitted that the elderly suspect had been supplying him with drugs, which he also shared with other students.
The NDLEA said both suspects would be prosecuted, while the underage students involved have been referred for counselling and rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, the agency announced a series of nationwide operations leading to multiple seizures and arrests across Lagos, Kogi, Oyo, and Edo states.
In Lagos, operatives intercepted 9.5kg of synthetic cannabinoid concealed in a shipment from China, as well as 300 grams of cannabis hidden in ladies’ handbags. A suspected drug dealer was also arrested during a raid in the Ajah area, with additional drugs recovered from his residence and a related shop.
In Kogi State, officers intercepted a suspect travelling from Lagos to Abuja with methamphetamine concealed in food containers, while in Oyo and Edo states, large quantities of cannabis were seized and several suspects arrested during coordinated raids.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), NDLEA chairman commended officers involved in the operations, urging them to intensify efforts in tackling drug trafficking across the country.
He also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to both enforcement and drug abuse prevention campaigns.
