The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two elderly men, aged 83 and 78, in separate drug trafficking operations in Abia State and Ekiti State, as part of a wider nationwide crackdown on illicit drug activities.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
According to the statement, the operations also led to the arrest of several other suspects and the seizure of large quantities of illegal drugs across multiple states, including Oyo, Osun, Borno, Kaduna, Jigawa, Lagos, and Edo.
One of the suspects, Pa John Ofiel, aged 83, was arrested in Aba, Abia State, during a raid carried out by NDLEA operatives on April 28, 2026.
The agency said the operation was based on credible intelligence linking him to drug dealing activities at Samek area by Powerline in Aba.
At the time of his arrest, officers reportedly recovered 700 grams of skunk, a type of cannabis, packaged in small sachets ready for sale.
Investigators said the elderly man told them he was previously a shoemaker before he went into the drug business.
In a separate operation in Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives arrested 78-year-old Ogunjobi Samuel on April 30 at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti.
The agency said 350 grams of skunk were recovered from him during the arrest.
The involvement of elderly individuals in drug trafficking has raised concern among authorities, who say it reflects the growing reach of the illegal drug trade in the country.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested two women, Rebecca King, 24, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, 31, in connection with the seizure of 1.925 kilograms of Colorado, a strong synthetic form of cannabis.
Rebecca was arrested along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while transporting the drugs, while Opeyemi was picked up in Ibadan during a follow-up operation when she allegedly attempted to collect the consignment.
In another operation in Ibadan, officers arrested a suspected drug dealer, Taofik Adeyemi, 49, along with his associate, Mustapha Oyerinde, 28, at a residence in the Erunmu area.
The NDLEA said two of Adeyemi’s associates had earlier been arrested in December 2025 and are currently being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.
In Osun State, a 65-year-old driver, Oladayo Awoyemi, was arrested at the Ile-Ife toll gate along the Ibadan-Ilesa Expressway.
He was reportedly found with a carton containing 7 kilograms of skunk and 15 grams of methamphetamine.
A follow-up operation in Ilesa led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the drugs, Ifedayo Babalola, 40.
Meanwhile, in Borno State, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect, Yahaya Shehu, 27, along the Damaturu-Maiduguri Road.
The agency said intelligence reports led to the seizure of 76,440 tablets of Tramadol 225mg from him.
In a related operation, a truck driver, Magaji Isa, 30, was arrested after officers intercepted 14,000 capsules of Tramadol.
A follow-up raid in Biu led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the drugs, Abdulhamid Mahmud, 28.
The NDLEA also recorded significant seizures in other parts of the country.
In Kaduna State, officers intercepted a Honda Ridgeline vehicle along the Abuja–Jos Highway and recovered 393 blocks of compressed skunk weighing about 290 kilograms.
Two suspects, Ojo Major Ebose, 36, and Chika Obiechefula, 32, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
In Jigawa State, officers seized 49,800 capsules of Tramadol from two suspects, Ahmed Garba, also known as Fangale, aged 50, and Sale Mohammed, 41, along Bauchi Road in Hadejia.
In Lagos State, NDLEA operatives carried out a raid at Awolowo Market in Mushin, where they recovered a large quantity of skunk weighing 740 kilograms.
The agency described the seizure as one of the significant busts in recent operations.
In Edo State, an intelligence-led operation in Idogbo community, Benin City, led to the arrest of a suspect, Godstime Godspower, 25.
The NDLEA said various drugs were recovered from him, including Loud, Colorado, Tramadol, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA said it continues to carry out its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across the country.
The campaign focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, especially among young people.
According to the agency, sensitisation programmes have been held in schools, markets, worship centres, and transport hubs in several states.
The series of arrests highlights the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
Authorities say the illegal drug trade continues to fuel crime, health problems, and social issues across the country.
The involvement of different age groups, including elderly persons, has also raised concern among experts, who say it shows how widespread the problem has become.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to tackling drug-related crimes through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies.
The agency urged members of the public to provide useful information that can help in the fight against drug trafficking.
It also warned those involved in the illegal drug trade to desist or face the full weight of the law.