Anti-Narcotics Agency Detains Nonagenarian, Medical Practitioner in Sweeping Nationwide Operation Against Illicit Substances

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By Kingsley Omonobi

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the weekend arrested a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor among other suspects during a nationwide crackdown on drug cartels.

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Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the operations were intelligence-led and carried out across several states.

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In one operation, a nonagenarian, Pa Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was arrested at his home in Abia State, where 7.7kg of skunk was recovered. He reportedly admitted long-term use before turning to the trade.

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The agency also arrested an Ivorian, Gohouri Michael, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 1.49kg of cocaine. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of a 69-year-old doctor, Dr Chudi Daniel Ofomata, in Ogun State, with drugs recovered from him.

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In Ogun, three suspects were arrested with 34kg of skunk, while a female suspect was caught with 56.2kg in Imo State.

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NDLEA operatives in Niger State arrested a couple with 118kg of skunk in their home, while in Borno, large quantities of Rohypnol, codeine syrup and injections were intercepted, leading to another arrest.

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In Lagos, operatives intercepted 15kg of “Loud” cannabis in a commercial bus and seized 26,800 bottles of codeine syrup in another operation, arresting multiple suspects.

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A raid in Abuja led to the arrest of eight suspects and seizure of over 11kg of skunk.

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In Edo State, two trucks carrying a combined 7,245kg of skunk were intercepted, with five suspects arrested.

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NDLEA said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign also continued nationwide, targeting schools and communities.

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Chairman of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across commands for the arrests and seizures.

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