The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a sophisticated drug trafficking network involving the concealment of cocaine in traditional Nigerian party wear — fila (caps) and gele (headgears). Among those arrested is 82-year-old Mrs. Uloma Uchechi Sunday, her daughter Chisom Uchechi, 32, and several others.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed the arrests in a statement on Sunday, May 18, 2025. According to the agency, operatives raided the home of Mrs. Sunday in Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village on Saturday, May 17, recovering various drugs including methamphetamine, tramadol, skunk, and ₦130,600 in cash. The octogenarian confessed she and her daughter took over the drug business after the death of her son, who originally ran the operation.
Serial Offenders Nabbed Again
In another arrest, 80-year-old Ashiru Ayuba, who previously served a 10-year sentence for drug offences (2014–2024), was rearrested on Wednesday, May 14 in Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State, with 2.3kg of skunk. He admitted to having been in the drug trade for 46 years.
Student Turned Dealer
The NDLEA also arrested Ibrahim Oladimeji Abdulateef, an HND 1 student of Kwara State Polytechnic, with 650 grams of Loud (a potent cannabis variant) already portioned into 149 cups, reportedly for sale to fellow students.
Multi-Billion Naira Seizures at Ports
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, officers intercepted 3 million pills of tapentadol and carisoprodol (Royal 225mg) worth over ₦2.1 billion on May 14, during a joint inspection with Customs and other agencies.
Similarly, at Apapa Seaport in Lagos, another shipment declared as car parts from India was found to contain 169,800 bottles of codeine syrup, valued at ₦1.1 billion, on May 13.
Drug Interceptions Across Nigeria
- Lagos: 250 grams of cocaine concealed in a female headgear en route to Australia was intercepted at a courier company on May 16.
- Niger State: NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle with 143kg of skunk; two suspects were arrested.
- Nasarawa State: Welman Kengbo, 60, was caught with 594.8kg of skunk.
- Lagos: Toheeb Oyenuga was arrested along the Lekki-Epe Expressway with 67.5kg of cannabis.
- Taraba: Shafiu Ismail, 22, was arrested with 5,350 pills of tramadol and diazepam.
- Jigawa: Tijjani Mohammed, 35, was nabbed with 198kg of skunk.
- Abuja–Kaduna Highway: Ismail Isah, 29, was caught with an AK-47 rifle and two magazines hidden in a sack of maize; he will be handed over to the appropriate security authorities.
The NDLEA continues its aggressive crackdown on drug trafficking and distribution networks across the country, warning that no one — regardless of age or status — will be spared if found complicit.
