Crime
NDLEA Busts Nationwide Drug Ring, Arrests 93-Year-Old Suspect and Medical Doctor in Sweeping Crackdown
NDLEA Busts Nationwide Drug Ring, Arrests 93-Year-Old Suspect and Medical Doctor in Sweeping Crackdown
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s anti-narcotics war has taken a dramatic turn as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered a sprawling drug trafficking network, arresting suspects across several states—including a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor—in a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations.
The arrests and seizures, carried out over the past week, cut across Abia, Kano, Ogun, Lagos, Imo, Niger, Edo, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory, exposing the depth and diversity of actors involved in the illicit trade.
In one of the most startling cases, NDLEA operatives arrested 93-year-old Friday Chigbu at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State, with 7.7 kilogrammes of skunk recovered from his home.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the nonagenarian admitted to decades of cannabis use, claiming he began smoking in 1959 before venturing into distribution barely a year ago.
In a separate but related operation, NDLEA dismantled an international cocaine trafficking attempt involving Ivorian national Gohouri Michael, who was intercepted at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano while attempting to board a flight to Milan, Italy.
He was found to have ingested 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilogramsmes and was reportedly promised €5,000 upon successful delivery.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Dr. Chudi Ofomata in Ogun State. The 69-year-old physician is alleged to have coordinated the operation, guiding the courier’s movements and logistics. NDLEA operatives recovered controlled substances, including promazepam and promethazine injections, from his residence.
Across multiple states, NDLEA operations delivered significant seizures and arrests:
In Niger State, a couple was apprehended after 118 kilogrammes of skunk was discovered in their kitchen.
In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested with 34 kilogrammes of cannabis during a raid in Sango-Ota.
In Imo State, a 26-year-old woman was intercepted with 56.2 kilogrammes along the Onitsha–Owerri road.
In Borno State, officers seized thousands of tablets of Rohypnol and large volumes of codeine syrup and pentazocine injections concealed in a trailer transporting spare parts.
In Lagos, 15 kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis known as “Scottish Loud” was recovered from a commercial bus, while a separate operation in Mushin uncovered 26,800 bottles of codeine syrup.
In Abuja, eight suspects were arrested during a raid on a notorious drug hub, with over 11 kilogrammes of skunk recovered.
The most significant haul came from Edo State, where NDLEA operatives intercepted two trucks carrying a combined 7,245 kilogrammes of skunk hidden among cartons of beer. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the consignment, which was reportedly en route to Abuja.
Babafemi said beyond enforcement, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, targeting schools, motor parks, and community groups with sensitisation programmes aimed at curbing demand.
Chairman of NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers for the successful operations, stressing the importance of sustaining both supply suppression and preventive education.
NDLEA Busts Nationwide Drug Ring, Arrests 93-Year-Old Suspect and Medical Doctor in Sweeping Crackdown
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have neutralised a suspected Fulani terrorist during a gun battle with armed men riding motorcycles along Wanka Village in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the encounter occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, when troops of Sector 2 OPEP manning a blocking position along the Wanka axis sighted an unconfirmed number of suspected terrorists approaching on several motorcycles.
The troops immediately engaged the armed men with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
During the exchange, one of the suspected terrorists was neutralised, while the fleeing members of the group abandoned four Honda motorcycles and other items.
Items recovered from the scene included two mobile phones, one packet of cigarettes and seven tablets of Tramadol.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody and are undergoing investigation to establish possible links to the suspected criminal network.
The operation underscores the continued deployment of troops to strategic blocking positions and patrol routes to disrupt the movement of armed groups and prevent attacks on vulnerable communities in Plateau State.
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation IGBO DANU II, working alongside hybrid forces, have recovered an AK-47 rifle and discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit during operations inside the Old Oyo National Park.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops engaged suspected bandits at about 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, after sighting the armed group within the park.
The suspected bandits reportedly fled upon sighting the advancing troops.
During the encounter, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number 14907, an empty magazine and a locally made Dane gun.
In a follow-up exploitation operation at about 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 8, the troops discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit and destroyed temporary shelters believed to have been used as hideouts by the group.
No further contact was made during the follow-up operation, while troops sustained exploitation efforts in the area.
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested two suspected burglars while allegedly attempting to break into a poultry house to steal chickens in Doi community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 6:10 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, by troops deployed at Latya Guard Location.
The suspects were reportedly caught while attempting to gain entry into the poultry house with the intention of stealing chickens.
They were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police, B Division, Bukuru, for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
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