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 neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items

By: Zagazola Makama

The sustained military offensive against armed groups in Plateau State has recorded a significant breakthrough following the neutralisation of 13 suspected terrorists in Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas.

Security sources said troops under Operation Wutan Daji, on April 9, intensified clearance operations across identified terrorist corridors, including Daba and Seri villages.

The operation, which commenced at about 8:30 a.m., involved the establishment of blocking positions between Dutsen Zaki and Odare Forest, where troops made contact with armed elements moving on motorcycles.

The suspected terrorists were reportedly engaged in a firefight, resulting in the neutralisation of several of them, while others escaped with injuries.

Following exploitation of the area, troops confirmed that about 10 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter.

Items recovered from the scene included two motorcycles, five containers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) of 25 litres each, one AK-47 rifle, and a magazine loaded with three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Military authorities said the operation remains ongoing as troops continue clearance actions and exploitation of surrounding forests believed to serve as escape routes for armed groups.

The latest development reflects an intensified push by security forces to disrupt mobility corridors used by armed groups operating across Plateau’s forested and border communities.

The operation also illustrates a shift towards more aggressive blocking and interception tactics aimed at denying militants freedom of movement and access to logistics supplies.

Authorities have assured that further updates will be provided as operations progress in the affected areas.

lTroops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items

Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and local volunteer forces on Tuesday successfully foiled what locals said would have been a large-scale attack by bandits on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro LGA of Niger state.

Credible security sources disclosed that the move by the operatives followed advance intelligence on the the planned attack.

According to the sources, as bandits in their numbers made to storm Bagna and Erene communities, the security operatives and volunteers ambushed them, killing scores of the attackers.

“Over 300 bandits armed with dangerous weapons and on motorcycles we’re headed to the communities. Unfortunately for them, security operatives and local vigilantes, who had credible intelligence on their movements, ambushed them. Scores were killed while many others fled toward the Makuba and Allawa axis” disclosed the source.

Residents of the communities expressed gratitude to the security operatives and volunteer forces, noting that their gallantry saved them from what would have been a major disaster.

“We are very happy. We thank the joint security forces for protecting us,” one of the residents stated.

“We are witnessing an increase in collaboration between security agencies and local volunteer forces. This has led to a bridging of security gaps, and making the first line of defence against insecurity very effective,” offered the source, stressing, “their actions have helped strengthen security in several communities across the country.”

Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities