Drug Peddling: NDLEA Arrests 2 Octogenarians, Others

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two octogenarians, Ashiru Ayuba, 80 and Uloma Uchechi, 82 as well as her daughter Chisom Uchechi, 32 for alleged drug peddling.

A statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja stated that one of the suspects, Ayuba had previously been arrested and prosecuted by NDLEA for drug dealing offences.

Babafemi said that Ayuba was convicted and served 10-year jail term between 2014 and 2024.

He said that he was again arrested on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Barazana street, Dogarawa area of Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State by NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence.

“A total of 2.3kilograms of skunk packaged in nylons and papers in retail sizes were recovered from him.

“He claimed to have been in the illicit drug trade for the past 46 years,” he said.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives in Abia state on Saturday, May 17 raided the home of 82-year-old Mrs. Uloma Uchechi at Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village.

Babafemi said that different quantities of methamphetamine, tramadol and skunk, a strain of cannabis as well as a cash exhibit of N130,600 were recovered from her.

He said that her daughter, Chisom Uchechi, was also involved in the alleged illicit drug peddling.

“The grandma confessed that she and her daughter took over the drug trade after her son who started the business died two years ago,” he said.

In another development, Babafemi said that no fewer than 199,200 pills of tramadol were recovered from two suspects: Abdulwahab Quadir and Abdulraheem Ismail on Friday, May 16 in Kwara.

He said that this followed their arrest at Gegele area of Ilorin by NDLEA operatives who also raided Favour Lodge in the state capital.

“An HND 1 student of the Department of Laboratory Science Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ibrahim Oladimeji Abdulateef was arrested.

“650grams of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis already measured in 149 cups, which he sells to other students were recovered from him,” he said.