Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested two elderly men in Ekiti and Abia, aged 83 and 78, as part of an ongoing nationwide offensive targeting illicit drug trafficking and distribution networks across Nigeria.
The arrests, which took place in Abia and Ekiti states, form part of a broader series of coordinated operations that have also led to the apprehension of several other suspects, including middle-aged individuals and younger accomplices allegedly involved in the drug trade.
According to a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the 83-year-old suspect, identified as Pa John Ofiel, was apprehended on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a targeted raid in the Samek area of Aba, Abia State.
Babafemi explained that the operation was carried out following credible intelligence indicating that the octogenarian had been actively involved in the retail distribution of illicit substances within the community.
“At the time of his arrest, NDLEA officers recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, which had been carefully packaged in small sachets for street-level sales,” the statement noted.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Pa Ofiel, who reportedly worked as a professional shoemaker earlier in life, had transitioned into the illicit drug trade in his later years. Authorities expressed concern over the involvement of elderly individuals in criminal networks, describing it as an emerging and troubling trend.
In a separate operation in Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 78-year-old man, identified as Ogunjobi Samuel, on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The suspect was picked up at his residence on Owode Street in Ilupeju-Ekiti.
During a search of the premises, officials reportedly recovered 350 grams of cannabis believed to be intended for distribution. The agency did not immediately disclose whether the suspect was part of a larger network, but investigations are said to be ongoing.
The arrests of the two elderly men highlight the expanding demographic profile of individuals involved in drug-related activities in Nigeria, with enforcement agencies increasingly encountering suspects across a wide age range.
Beyond these cases, the NDLEA disclosed that several other operations conducted across different states have resulted in additional arrests and seizures.
In Osun State, a 65-year-old commercial driver, identified as Oladayo Awoyemi, was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate on April 30 while transporting a consignment of illicit drugs. Authorities discovered a carton containing 7 kilograms of skunk and 15 grams of methamphetamine concealed in his vehicle.
Following his arrest, a subsequent intelligence-led operation led to the apprehension of the alleged owner of the drugs, 40-year-old Ifedayo Babalola, believed to be part of the distribution chain.
Similarly, in Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested two women in connection with the seizure of 1.925 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic and highly potent variant of cannabis.
The suspects, identified as Rebecca King, 24, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, 31, were arrested in separate but related operations. King was initially intercepted along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on April 29 while transporting the consignment.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Opeyemi at Iwo Road in Ibadan, where she was reportedly attempting to take delivery of the shipment. Authorities believe the arrests disrupted a coordinated supply chain involving multiple actors.
The NDLEA noted that these operations form part of its intensified efforts to combat the proliferation of psychoactive substances across the country. The agency has in recent months ramped up surveillance, intelligence gathering, and enforcement activities in a bid to curb both local distribution and cross-border trafficking.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers for their vigilance and operational efficiency.
Marwa urged personnel to sustain the momentum, emphasising the importance of consistent enforcement in reducing the availability of illicit drugs and protecting public health and safety.
He also reiterated the agency’s commitment to tackling drug abuse and trafficking through a combination of enforcement, public awareness, and rehabilitation initiatives.
The latest arrests underscore the evolving nature of Nigeria’s drug landscape, where individuals from diverse backgrounds—including the elderly—are increasingly implicated in illicit activities.
Security experts warn that the involvement of senior citizens may reflect broader socio-economic challenges, including poverty, lack of social support, and vulnerability to exploitation by organised criminal networks.
They argue that while enforcement remains critical, there is also a need for targeted social interventions to address the root causes driving individuals into the drug trade.
For the NDLEA, however, the priority remains clear: to disrupt supply chains, dismantle trafficking networks, and ensure that individuals engaged in the distribution of illicit substances are brought to justice, regardless of age or status.
As investigations continue into the recent arrests, authorities say more operations are underway, with a renewed focus on intelligence-driven policing aimed at identifying and neutralising drug networks across the country.
The agency has also called on members of the public to support its efforts by providing timely and credible information that can aid in the fight against drug trafficking.
With the scale of the crackdown expanding, the NDLEA appears determined to send a strong message that no segment of society is beyond scrutiny in its ongoing battle against illicit drugs in Nigeria.
