The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 80-year-old ex-convict, Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, for allegedly returning to the illicit drug trade barely three years after serving a jail term for the same offence.
The agency also uncovered tramadol concealed inside full body mannequins, while several other suspects were arrested and large quantities of illicit drugs recovered in coordinated operations across Edo, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger and Oyo states.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said Nkanta was apprehended following credible intelligence at his residence in Mmanta-Abak village, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Babafemi recalled that the octogenarian had earlier been arrested on December 14, 2022, prosecuted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Uyo for drug-related offences.
“Not ready to let go of the old habit, the 80-year-old returned to the illicit drug trade and was arrested on Saturday with 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, in his residence,” Babafemi stated.
The NDLEA spokesperson disclosed that in another operation along the Oron-Ibaka Road in Akwa Ibom, operatives intercepted a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Onyebuchi Romans, travelling with mannequins reportedly meant for his clothing business in Cameroun.
“A search of the full body mannequins revealed they were stuffed with tramadol pills weighing 5.3 kilograms,” Babafemi said.
He added that investigations showed the suspect purchased the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra State, and concealed them inside two mannequins for trafficking to Cameroun.
In Oyo State, Babafemi said coordinated raids led to the arrest of several notorious drug dealers, including Remi Bamidele, also known as ‘Aluko the Mafia’, from whom over 10 kilograms of various strains of cannabis were recovered.
“At the time of his arrest, two vehicles, a Toyota Venza and Toyota Yaris, were also recovered,” he said.
He further disclosed that other suspects were arrested in Ibadan with quantities of Colorado, Ghana Loud and skunk, alongside a cash exhibit of over ₦1.3 million.
Babafemi said similar operations in Edo, Niger, Taraba and Adamawa states led to the arrest of multiple suspects and the seizure of tramadol pills, cannabis and other illicit substances.
Commending the officers involved, Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), as praising the commands for their operational successes.
“The Chairman noted that the balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction remains central to the agency’s strategy,” Babafemi added.
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