Drug Bust: 83-Year-Old Abia Woman Rearrested by NDLEA

Authorities from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have once again taken into custody an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Uchechi Sunday, after discovering quantities of methamphetamine and Colorado in her possession. This arrest comes less than a year after her previous conviction for drug-related crimes. The elderly woman, an octogenarian, was apprehended on Wednesday, October 7, at her home in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. Reports indicate the illicit substances were found fastened around her waist with a wrapper.

Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Sunday. He stated that the operation was prompted by reliable intelligence suggesting that Mrs. Sunday was running a well-known drug hub, which was reportedly a haven for criminals causing unrest in the area.

Babafemi further disclosed that Uloma Uchechi Sunday’s initial arrest took place on May 17, 2025, at the very same address. On that occasion, she was arrested alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi. During the first raid, NDLEA operatives seized 50 grams of methamphetamine, 522 grams of skunk, 260 grams of fresh cannabis leaves, and 12 grams of tramadol. The agency's statement detailed the outcome of their court appearance: “Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each. They paid the fine and were released by the court.”

The NDLEA spokesperson alleged that despite her previous conviction and release, the octogenarian resumed her involvement in the illicit drug business. The statement quoted, “Undeterred, the notorious old woman promptly returned to the criminal trade and escalated the scale by setting up a drug joint where she harbours dangerous characters.”

Meanwhile, separate efforts by NDLEA officers at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, led to the apprehension of Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, a South African national. She was caught with 30 parcels of Thai Loud, a potent form of cannabis, weighing a total of 32.74 kilograms. Mr. Babafemi stated that the narcotics were cleverly hidden within two of her travelling bags. He also noted that the suspect had flown from Thailand, transiting through Doha, on Qatar Airways flight QR1431. The agency’s statement included her confession: “She confessed to having previously trafficked through other African countries, and was expanding her route to Port Harcourt when she was caught.”

At the import section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, operatives successfully intercepted a massive consignment originating from Pakistan. The shipment contained 354,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, with an overall weight of 307.20kg. Babafemi confirmed that this particular consignment arrived via a Royal Air Maroc flight on September 29. Following a period of surveillance, a collaborative inspection on Tuesday, October 6, revealed the illicit drugs packed across nine cartons.

Further operations at the Lagos airport saw NDLEA agents intercept 70 parcels of Colorado, identified as a synthetic cannabinoid, weighing 75.90kg. These were discovered inside six 'Ghana-Must-Go' bags that were part of a consolidated cargo arriving from the United Kingdom. The agency reported that this shipment, which landed on September 29, was also placed under observation. The subsequent arrests included John Edrah, a 54-year-old clearing agent, apprehended on September 30. An Uber driver, Taofiq Ajibola, also 54, was taken into custody while attempting to collect one of the bags from a logistics firm in Mafoluku, Oshodi. Later, Adetunji Adebayo and Kazeem Damola Dosunmu, a 48-year-old clothing trader, were arrested when they arrived to claim the remaining five bags.

Babafemi revealed that Ajibola informed investigators the drugs were dispatched by a UK-based associate named Lukman Sa’idu. Similarly, Dosunmu claimed his portion of the consignment originated from another individual in the UK, identified only as Yusuf.

In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives, acting on surveillance information, arrested 46-year-old Adama Inuwa on Sunday, October 4, at Iyala Nkun village in Ikom Local Government Area. This operation resulted in the seizure of 181 bags of cannabis sativa, totaling 1,100kg, along with an additional 17.15kg of cannabis seeds, as confirmed by Babafemi.

On Monday, October 5, in Edo State, officers intercepted a black Toyota Camry vehicle carrying 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis, weighing a substantial 702.83kg, in Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area. The agency confirmed the arrest of three individuals in connection with this seizure: Monday Orji, 52; Monday Lawal, 40; and Precious Uduegele, 20.

A distinct raid conducted in Asoro, situated off Sakponba Road in Benin City, led to the arrest of 26-year-old Ojugo Mercy. She was found in possession of 989 grams of Loud, 13 grams of Colorado, and 83 grams of methamphetamine.

Ondo State saw the arrest of 21-year-old Happy Endurance on October 5, discovered at her hideout in Akure's Shasha area with 29 bags of cannabis, totaling 290kg. The statement also noted that on the same day, a separate operation on an apartment in Oba-Ile, Akure, resulted in the arrest of 42-year-old Tunde Adebayo, who was found with 35 bags of cannabis weighing 351kg.

With the assistance of soldiers, NDLEA operatives in Taraba State apprehended Abdulrasheed Mohamed, 31, and Abubakar Saidu, 37, on Friday, October 9, in Chanchanji village, Wukari Local Government Area. Babafemi reported that the two suspects were in possession of 166,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg, with a combined weight of 107kg.

Finally, in Kano State, a routine stop-and-search exercise conducted along the Kano-Maiduguri Road on October 9 resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Yahaya M.