Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an 80-year-old former convict, Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, in Mmanta-Abak, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, for alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
Nkanta was apprehended with 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, at his residence. According to the NDLEA, he had previously been convicted for drug-related offences in December 2022 and served a two-year jail term.
Confirming the arrest, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the octogenarian returned to the illicit drug trade shortly after completing his sentence.
“Barely three years after he was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for dealing in illicit drugs, the 80-year-old has again been nabbed by NDLEA operatives for returning to the criminal trade,” Babafemi said.
He explained that following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives tracked Nkanta to his village on Saturday, January 10, 2025, where the drugs were recovered.
In a separate operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Onyebuchi Romans, along the Oron–Ibaka Road in Oron Local Government Area. Romans was reportedly travelling with full-body mannequins intended for his clothing business in Cameroon.
A search of the mannequins revealed they had been stuffed with tramadol pills weighing a total of 5.3 kilograms. Investigations showed that the suspect allegedly purchased the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra State, and concealed them inside two mannequins for onward trafficking to Cameroon.
Further operations in Oyo State led to the arrest of several suspected drug dealers and the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances. At Sasa, Ibadan, operatives arrested 45-year-old Remi Bamidele, also known as “Aluko the Mafia,” and recovered 10.696 kilograms of various strains of cannabis, including Colorado, Scottish Loud, Ghana Loud, Canadian Loud and skunk. Two vehicles—a Toyota Venza and a Toyota Yaris—were also seized.
At Adegbayi area of Ibadan, NDLEA officers arrested Adeola Toheeb, 27, with quantities of Colorado, Ghana Loud and skunk. Another suspect, Habeeb Ali, 29, was arrested at Ring Road, Ibadan, with 1.264 kilograms of illicit drugs. A cash sum of ₦1,307,100 was recovered from him during the arrest.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested a dispatch rider, Osagbovo Edigin, 30, along with Ebimi Labo, 28, and Akhimie Success, 25, at Ihama/Airport Road GRA, Benin City. The arrests followed the seizure of 118 grams of Canadian Loud and a wrap of Colorado.
The NDLEA said investigations are ongoing, while suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of inquiries, as the agency continues its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.
