(DDM) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has carried out a series of coordinated operations across Nigeria, arresting multiple suspects including a 75-year-old grandfather and a 33-year-old alleged major supplier of opioids.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the arrests were confirmed on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a detailed statement on the agency’s latest crackdown.
In Anambra State, NDLEA operatives apprehended Uchelue Ikechukwu at Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government Area with 26.7kg of cannabis (skunk) on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Further arrests in the state included Eneh Makuo, Emmanuel Chiemeli, Uwakwe Matthew, Chukwujekwu Ehirim, Ifeanyichukwu Olisa, and Odoh Chukwuma, who were caught in separate operations at Nkwelle and Amichi areas with varying quantities of opioids and cannabis.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives, supported by personnel of the Nigerian Army, Forest Security Service, Mambila Youth Vanguard, and local vigilantes, destroyed 178,750 kilograms of cannabis cultivated on a 71.5-hectare farm in Mayodoga forest, Sardauna Local Government Area.
The farm, allegedly owned by 30-year-old Alfa Andrew, was raided on Tuesday, August 26, with the suspect arrested and found in possession of a Dane gun.
Further north, NDLEA officers intercepted 104,900 capsules of tramadol concealed in the driver’s compartment of a fuel tanker at the Abuja–Kaduna tollgate on Friday, August 29.
The consignment was believed to be destined for insurgents in parts of Borno State, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Hassan Buba.
Another breakthrough came with the arrest of 33-year-old Uchenna Umeh, described as a major opioid supplier in Borno State.
Recovered from his apartment in Chescon, Pompomary area of Maiduguri were 30,640 pills of tramadol 225mg, 7,940 tablets of rohypnol, and N7,999,200 in cash, mostly in new N200 notes.
Other nationwide raids
In Nasarawa, Abubakar Dauda, 36, was arrested with 79,040 pills of tramadol and diazepam, while Babangida Tungura, 47, was nabbed in Lafia with 30,410 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol, and 38 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a freezer.
In Kano, NDLEA officers arrested Ashiru Garba, 20, and Aminu Abdu, 22, with 1.5kg of cannabis and 25,000 pills of exol-5 along Kano-Hadeja road.
Two more suspects, Ali Muhammad, 37, and Muhammad Maishanu, 42, were caught with 8,080 bottles of a new psychoactive substance and 25.7kg of cannabis.
A growing crackdown
The NDLEA has intensified its war against drug trafficking, linking several seizures to insurgency funding in the North-East.
Officials say operations will continue nationwide to curb the spread of illicit substances.
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