…Agency intercepts China-bound synthetic drugs, busts Ekiti wanted couple, seizes tonnes of cannabis nationwide

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two elderly men and a 75-year-old woman for alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking and distribution, including sales to secondary school students in parts of the country.

The arrests formed part of a series of nationwide operations that also led to the interception of synthetic drugs from China, seizure of cannabis concealed in commercial consignments, and the dismantling of drug trafficking networks in Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi and Edo States.

According to a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspects include 84-year-old Godfrey Orji, 75-year-old Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, and a 75-year-old woman identified in Oyo State as Tudun Olubiyi.

Babafemi said Obiora was arrested on Friday following intelligence reports that he was selling opioids, including tramadol and diazepam, from his patent medicine store in Umuahia, Abia State.

He disclosed that a search of his premises led to the recovery of 4.64 kilograms of illicit drugs.

In a separate incident, Orji was arrested after security personnel at Saint Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia, allegedly caught him supplying drugs to two teenage students, who were later handed over to the police and transferred to the NDLEA.

One of the students, a 15-year-old SS2 pupil, reportedly confessed that the suspect supplied him drugs which were also distributed to other students.

“The two grandpas are billed to have their day in court, while the students have been placed on counselling and rehabilitation,” Babafemi stated.

In Oyo State, operatives arrested the 75-year-old woman alongside two other suspects during a raid that uncovered 1,416 kilograms of skunk concealed under sawdust in a residential building.

Elsewhere, NDLEA operatives intercepted 9.5 kilograms of ADB Chminaca, a synthetic cannabinoid, concealed in a shipment from China at a courier company in Lagos, while another operation led to the seizure of 300 grams of Loud hidden in ladies’ handbags.

In Lagos, officers also raided the residence of a wanted suspect, Lukman Badmus, recovering codeine syrup and cannabis, while a follow-up operation at his wife’s shop led to additional seizures of drugs and paraphernalia. Attempts to dispose of exhibits were reportedly thwarted by operatives.

In Kogi State, a suspect was intercepted along the Okene–Lokoja highway with methamphetamine concealed in custard containers while en route from Lagos to Abuja.

The agency also confirmed the arrest of a couple linked to a 117-kilogram cannabis seizure in Ekiti State, who had been on the run since March.

Across Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed large cannabis plantations and arrested suspects during sustained anti-drug operations.

The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued across schools, worship centres and communities nationwide as part of efforts to reduce drug demand.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations, urging them to sustain the momentum in the nationwide fight against illicit drugs.