Two Grandpas, 75-Year-Old Grandma Among 15 Nabbed as NDLEA Busts Drug Rings in Nationwide Raid
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested two octogenarian “grandpas” for allegedly selling illicit drugs to secondary school students in Umuahia, as part of a nationwide crackdown that also netted a wanted couple in Ekiti and a 75-year-old grandma in Oyo.
Pa Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, 75, was arrested Friday June 19 at his patent medicine store on Club Road, Umuahia, after NDLEA operatives recovered 4.64kg of opioids including tramadol and diazepam. Pa Godfrey Orji, 84, a pensioner, was nabbed Thursday June 18 by security guards at St. Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia, for supplying drugs to two SS2 students. One 15-year-old admitted Orji supplied him drugs for personal use and resale. Both grandpas will be charged to court while the students have been placed on counselling and rehabilitation.
In Lagos, NDLEA intercepted a 9.5kg consignment of ADB Chminaca, a synthetic cannabinoid classified as a dangerous new psychoactive substance, at a courier firm. The shipment from China was concealed in a carton. On Tuesday June 16, officers also seized 300g of “Loud”, a strong cannabis strain hidden in ladies’ handbags at another logistics company.
The Agency also raided the home of wanted dealer Lukman Badmus alias “Lukman Ogombo” in Ogombo, Ajah on Friday June 19, recovering nine bottles of codeine syrup and 30g skunk. A follow-up at his wife Aisha Saraki’s shop on Lagos Island yielded two more codeine bottles, drug paraphernalia, and 22.5kg skunk in 42 blocks hidden in a mini-bus. Saraki was caught attempting to flush exhibits down the toilet.
Outside Lagos, a couple wanted since March 26 for a 117kg skunk seizure in Ekiti — James Tony Chukwudi, 48, and James Kehinde, 35 — were arrested Tuesday June 16 at Oniyo Street, Efon-Alaaye-Ekiti after months on the run. In Kogi, Tochukwu Onah, 33, was intercepted on the Okene-Lokoja highway Friday with 1.030kg meth hidden in custard containers.
The biggest haul came in Oyo State. On Saturday June 20, operatives raided a house in Dangote area, Elekara, Oyo Town, arresting 75-year-old Tudun Olubiyi, Nasiru Buhari, 22, and Buba Musa, 47. They recovered 118 jumbo bags containing 1,416kg skunk covered with sawdust. In Edo, Patrick Imoukhede, 45, was arrested Wednesday June 17 in Khagba forest, Ikao, where 1,744kg skunk was destroyed and 169kg processed skunk recovered.
NDLEA said its commands also intensified WADA – War Against Drug Abuse – sensitization in schools and communities last week. Lectures were held at Orun Community Grammar School, Ekiti; Government Girls Secondary School, Kano; Federal Technical College, Nasarawa; Tafida Community Secondary School, Katsina; and Government Technical College, Onitsha. The Rivers Command also paid an advocacy visit to HRH Barr. Temple Ejekwu, Paramount Ruler of Rumuogba Kingdom.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of DOGI, Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Kogi and Edo Commands for the arrests and seizures. He charged them to sustain the balance between drug supply reduction and prevention advocacy. “Do not rest on your laurels,” Marwa said.
