In its continued fight against drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man, a 69-year-old medical doctor, and several other suspects linked to cocaine and cannabis trafficking networks across the country.
In a statement on Sunday, the NDELA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the arrests and seizures were the outcome of coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out over several weeks across multiple states.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested through sustained surveillance, profiling, and intercept operations at strategic points, including airports, highways, and identified drug hotspots nationwide.
Among the most notable arrests was that of Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, a 93-year-old man picked up at his residence in Umuagbaigba, Amavo Nkwogu village, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State on April 7, 2026. Operatives reportedly recovered 7.7 kilograms of skunk during the search of his home.
In a related development, the Agency said a transnational drug trafficking network was dismantled following the arrest of an Ivorian suspect, Gohouri Michael, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano. The suspect was intercepted during outward clearance procedures on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa, after intelligence indicated possible internal concealment of cocaine.
NDLEA stated that the airport arrest triggered a wider investigation that led operatives to a follow-up suspect, a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, who was traced to his residence in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, where he was arrested on March 27, 2026.
The Agency explained that intelligence gathered during interrogation and surveillance helped uncover the alleged role of the medical doctor in coordinating aspects of the trafficking network from behind the scenes.
Across other parts of the country, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence carried out simultaneous raids and interceptions in Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Imo, Borno, Edo, and the Federal Capital Territory, resulting in multiple arrests and large drug seizures.
The Agency noted that the coordinated operations were part of its ongoing intelligence-driven crackdown on drug cartels and their collaborators, combining surveillance data, informant reports, and inter-agency collaboration to track illicit consignments and suspects.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) was quoted as commending officers involved in the operations, praising their “precision, resilience, and balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction strategies.”
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He reiterated that the Agency would continue to intensify nationwide operations under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, which also includes public sensitisation campaigns in schools, motor parks, and communities across the country.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
