83-year-old and 78-year-old among those arrested as operatives seize cannabis consignments and bust drug networks across multiple states

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two elderly men, aged 83 and 78, for alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking in Abia and Ekiti states, as part of its ongoing nationwide clampdown on drug networks.

The arrests were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who noted that the suspects were among several individuals apprehended in recent operations targeting drug dealers across the country.

According to Babafemi, the 83-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday, April 28, during a raid at Samek area by Powerline in Aba, Abia State, following credible intelligence linking him to drug distribution. At the time of his arrest, NDLEA operatives recovered 700 grams of skunk— a strain of cannabis—packaged in retail sachets. The suspect reportedly claimed he had previously worked as a shoemaker before venturing into the illegal drug trade.

In a similar operation, a 78-year-old man was apprehended on Thursday, April 30, at his residence on H22 Owode Street in Ilupeju-Ekiti, Ekiti State. A total of 350 grams of cannabis were recovered from him.

In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested two women in connection with the seizure of 1.925 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis. The first suspect was intercepted along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on April 29 while transporting the consignment, while the second was arrested at Iwo Road, Ibadan, during a follow-up operation as she attempted to receive the shipment.

Further intensifying its operations, the agency also apprehended a notorious drug dealer in Ibadan on Saturday, May 2, after months of evading arrest. He was captured alongside his associate at his residence in the Erunmu area. Recovered from the scene were 3.085 kilograms of skunk and a Toyota Camry with registration number EPE 299 JZ. Two of his accomplices had earlier been arrested in December and are currently facing prosecution at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA said it continues to drive its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes nationwide. Recent outreach efforts targeted schools, religious centres, workplaces, and communities, including institutions in Niger, Kano, Anambra, Lagos, and Edo states.