NDLEA Intercepts N3.2bn Worth of Opioids, Arrests Octogenarians, Student Peddlers, and Seizes AK-47 Rifle
Abuja, Nigeria – May 18, 2025
In a series of coordinated operations across the country, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs valued at over N3.2 billion, arrested several suspects including two octogenarians, and recovered arms and ammunition in an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking.
Among the major arrests were 80-year-old Ayuba Ashiru, a previously convicted drug trafficker, and 82-year-old Mrs. Uloma Uchechi Sunday, who was apprehended alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, in Abia State.
Ashiru, who served a 10-year sentence between 2014 and 2024, was arrested on May 14 at Barazana Street, Dogarawa in Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State, with 2.3kg of skunk. He admitted to being in the drug trade for over 46 years.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives raided the residence of Mrs. Sunday in Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village, Abia State, recovering methamphetamine, tramadol, skunk, and N130,600 in cash. The elderly suspect confessed to continuing the trade after her son, who started the business, died two years ago.
In another significant seizure, NDLEA officers at Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State, intercepted a container holding three million pills of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol Royal 225mg, valued at N2.1 billion, during a joint inspection with Customs and other security agencies on May 14.
Similarly, at Apapa Seaport in Lagos on May 13, another container falsely declared as carrying car parts from India was found to contain 169,800 bottles of codeine syrup, with an estimated street value of N1.1 billion.
In Kwara State, two suspects, Abdulwahab Quadir and Abdulraheem Ismail, were arrested on May 16 with 199,200 tramadol pills. A further raid on Favour Lodge, Ilorin, led to the arrest of Ibrahim Oladimeji Abdulateef, an HND1 student of Kwara State Polytechnic, with 650g of 'Loud' cannabis, pre-packaged in 149 cups for sale to fellow students.
NDLEA operatives also intercepted 250g of cocaine concealed in female headgear destined for Australia, at a courier company in Lagos.
In Niger State, two major seizures occurred on May 15:
- A vehicle transporting 143kg of skunk was intercepted along Mokwa-Jebba road; Idris Kamal, 35, was arrested.
- Another suspect, Emmanuel Hassan, 26, was caught with 14.3kg of Loud. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Bello Aliyu (aka Liti), 39, identified as the consignment’s owner.
In Nasarawa, 60-year-old Welman Kengbo was arrested with 594.8kg of skunk in Karu, while in Lagos, Oyenuga Toheeb was nabbed along the Lekki/Epe expressway with 67.5kg of the same substance.
Further arrests include:
- Shafiu Ismail, 22, found with 5,350 pills of tramadol and diazepam in Jalingo, Taraba State.
- Tijjani Mohammed, 35, caught with 198kg of skunk in Malamawa, Jigawa State.
- On Abuja-Kaduna highway, Ismail Isah, 29, was intercepted with an AK-47 rifle and two magazines hidden in a sack of maize. He is to be handed over to the appropriate authorities.
Meanwhile, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy continued nationwide. Sensitization lectures were held at schools including Supreme International School (Kano), Al-Arifeen International Academy (Kaduna), Nadado Primary School (Katsina), Ila Orangun Grammar School (Osun), and Government Secondary School, Onne (Rivers State).
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the operatives across various state commands for their diligence and balance between supply reduction and demand control efforts.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, May 18, 2025
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