The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has rearrested an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Uchechi Sunday, over alleged involvement in illicit drug activities, less than a year after she was convicted of a similar offence.
The agency also arrested a South African national, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, with 32.74 kilogrammes of cannabis at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State. The arrests were part of a series of operations across the country that resulted in the recovery of various illicit substances, including methamphetamine, Colorado, cannabis and other controlled drugs.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, operatives arrested Uloma on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
The octogenarian was allegedly found with quantities of methamphetamine and Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid, concealed around her waist with a wrapper.
Babafemi explained that the arrest followed intelligence reports suggesting that the suspect operated a drug joint allegedly frequented by criminal elements accused of terrorising residents of the community.
Uloma was previously arrested on May 17, 2025, alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, at the same residence. During that operation, NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered 50 grammes of methamphetamine, 522 grammes of skunk, 260 grammes of fresh cannabis leaves and 12 grammes of tramadol.
Both women reportedly pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦200,000 fine each. They subsequently paid the fines and were released.
However, the agency alleged that Uloma returned to the illicit drug trade following her release and later established another drug joint.
In a separate operation at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Rivers State, NDLEA operatives arrested the South African national, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, with 30 parcels of cannabis weighing 32.74 kilogrammes.
The substance was allegedly concealed in two travelling bags. The agency stated that the suspect arrived from Thailand through Doha aboard a Qatar Airways flight. She reportedly admitted to trafficking illicit drugs through other African countries before attempting to expand her activities to Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operations across other states also resulted in significant drug seizures. In Lagos, operatives intercepted 354,000 tablets of Tapentadol, each containing 250 milligrammes, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
The consignment, weighing 307.20 kilogrammes, reportedly arrived from Pakistan aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight on September 29. Following surveillance, a joint examination on October 6 uncovered the tablets.
In another operation at the Lagos airport, officers intercepted 70 parcels of Colorado weighing 75.90 kilogrammes. The drugs were allegedly concealed in six Ghana-Must-Go bags within a consolidated cargo shipment from the United Kingdom. The investigation led to the arrest of individuals suspected of being connected to the consignment.
In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 46-year-old suspect, Adama Inuwa, during an operation at Iyala Nkun village in Ikom Local Government Area on Sunday, October 4. The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 181 bags of cannabis weighing approximately 1,100 kilogrammes, alongside 17.15 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.
The agency also reported additional arrests and recoveries involving illicit substances in other parts of the country as part of its ongoing campaign against drug trafficking and distribution.
Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the country to sustain their efforts and maintain a balanced approach to drug control.
The agency reiterated its commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks, preventing the circulation of dangerous substances and protecting communities from the consequences of illicit drug activities.
