The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 80-year-old man, Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs, barely three years after he was convicted and jailed for the same offence. The arrest is part of a nationwide operation by the agency that also led to the discovery of drugs hidden inside mannequins and the seizure of large quantities of illegal substances across several states.
NDLEA said Nkanta, a grandfather, was first arrested on December 14, 2022, for drug-related offences. He was prosecuted and later sentenced to two years in prison by a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. After serving his sentence, he was released, but investigations showed that he returned to the drug trade.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said operatives tracked Nkanta to his village, Mmanta–Abak, in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He was arrested on Saturday, January 10, 2025, during a raid on his residence.
According to the agency, a search of Nkanta’s house led to the recovery of 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis. The NDLEA described the arrest as disturbing, noting that age and previous punishment did not stop the suspect from returning to crime.
The agency said the case highlights the challenge of repeat offenders and the need for sustained efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
In another major operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Onyebuchi Romans, along the Oron–Ibaka road in Oron Local Government Area. The arrest was made on Friday, January 9, while the suspect was travelling with full-body mannequins meant for his clothing business.
Babafemi explained that officers became suspicious during a routine patrol and decided to search the mannequins. The search revealed that the mannequins were stuffed with pills of tramadol weighing 5.3 kilograms.
Tramadol is an opioid drug often abused for its stimulant effect, especially among young people. Its illegal use has become a serious public health concern in Nigeria, leading to addiction, crime, and health problems.
The suspect told NDLEA officers that he lives in Cameroun and was returning there after spending the Christmas and New Year holidays in Nigeria. He reportedly bought the tramadol in Onitsha, Anambra State, and planned to smuggle it into Cameroun for sale. Two mannequins were used to hide the drugs in an attempt to avoid detection.
The NDLEA said this method shows how traffickers continue to invent new ways to move drugs across borders, despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
Beyond Akwa Ibom, the agency recorded significant arrests and seizures in other parts of the country, especially in Oyo State. In Ibadan, the state capital, NDLEA officers carried out raids in different locations, targeting known drug hotspots.
One of the major arrests in Oyo was that of a 45-year-old man, Remi Bamidele, also known as “Aluko the Mafia.” He was arrested at Sasa area of Ibadan on Thursday, January 8. NDLEA said Bamidele is a notorious drug dealer in the area.
During the raid, officers recovered 10.696 kilograms of different strains of cannabis, including Colorado, Scottish Loud, Ghana Loud, Canadian Loud, and skunk. Two vehicles, a Toyota Venza and a Toyota Yaris with registration number HG 06 LYD, were also recovered from him.
In another operation at Adegbayi area of Ibadan on Friday, January 9, NDLEA arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Adeola Toheeb. He was found with various quantities of Colorado, Ghana Loud, and skunk.
Also in Ibadan, a 29-year-old man, Habeeb Ali, was arrested at Ring Road with 1.264 kilograms of Colorado, Scottish Loud, and skunk. NDLEA said cash amounting to ₦1,307,100, suspected to be proceeds from drug sales, was recovered from him on Saturday, January 10.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested a dispatch rider, Osagbovo Edigin, aged 30, along with two other suspects, Ebimi Labo, 28, and Akhimie Success, 25. The arrest took place on Friday, January 9, at Ihama/Airport Road, Government Reserved Area (GRA), Benin City.
The arrests were linked to the seizure of 118 grams of Canadian Loud and a wrap of Colorado. NDLEA said the suspects were involved in the distribution of drugs within the city.
Further operations in Edo State led to the arrest of Jimoh Agbonmhegbe, 49, at Irrua. He was found with 17.552 kilograms of Colorado, Loud, and skunk. Another suspect, Evelyn Okoyomon, 38, was arrested at Ubiaja with 930 grams of skunk on Wednesday, January 7.
In Niger State, NDLEA officers recovered no fewer than 4,000 pills of tramadol 225mg from a 22-year-old suspect, Nazifi Umar. The arrest was made at Dakwa town in Tafa Local Government Area.
Similarly, in Taraba State, a 41-year-old suspect, Yusuf Usman, was arrested in Lankaviri, Yorro Local Government Area, with 100 blocks of skunk weighing 47 kilograms.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA recorded another major seizure after arresting a 40-year-old man, Ugwoke Chibueze. He was first arrested at the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola, on Tuesday, January 6. Following his arrest, NDLEA operatives searched his home in the Bachure area of Yola South Local Government Area, where they recovered 30,950 capsules of tramadol.
The NDLEA said these arrests show the wide spread of drug trafficking across the country and the involvement of people from different backgrounds and age groups.
Beyond arrests and seizures, the agency said it has continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. Over the past week, NDLEA commands across the country carried out sensitisation programmes in schools, religious centres, workplaces, and communities to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers and men of the Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, Edo, Oyo, and Niger commands for their efforts. He said their achievements reflect the agency’s balanced approach to reducing both drug supply and drug demand.