By Sandra Kenneth
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have rearrested an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Uchechi Sunday, for alleged drug trafficking in Abia State—barely a year after she and her daughter were convicted of similar drug offences.
According to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the octogenarian was apprehended on Wednesday, October 7, at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. Officers recovered consignments of methamphetamine and ‘Colorado’ (a synthetic cannabis variant) allegedly concealed around her waist using a wrapper.
Intelligence reports indicated that Sunday had resumed illicit operations following her release, allegedly establishing a drug joint frequented by local criminal syndicates.
Sunday and her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, were previously arrested at the same address on May 17, 2025, where agents seized methamphetamine, skunk, fresh cannabis leaves, and tramadol. Both women pleaded guilty in court and were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or an option of a ₦200,000 fine each, which they paid before being released.
Major Airport Interceptions
The arrest comes amid a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations across Nigeria:
Port Harcourt International Airport (Rivers State): Operatives arrested a South African national, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, who arrived from Thailand via Doha aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431. Jessie was caught with 30 parcels of ‘Thai Loud’ weighing 32.74kg concealed inside two travel bags. The suspect reportedly admitted to previously smuggling narcotics through other African transit routes.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos State):
Opioid Seizure: Agents intercepted 354,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg (weighing 307.20kg) originating from Pakistan via a Royal Air Maroc shipment on September 29. A joint inspection on October 6 unveiled the drugs packed across nine cartons.
UK Cargo Freight: Officers intercepted 6 Ghana-Must-Go bags containing 70 parcels of Colorado (75.90kg) hidden within consolidated cargo from the United Kingdom. Subsequent sting operations led to the arrests of clearing agent John Edrah (54), Uber driver Taofiq Ajibola (54), Adetunji Adebayo, and clothing trader Kazeem Damola Dosunmu (48) as they attempted to retrieve portions of the shipment.
State-by-State Enforcement Sweep
NDLEA tactical units executed several raids and highway interdictions across multiple state commands:
Cross River: Operatives raided Iyala Nkun village in Ikom LGA on October 4, arresting Adama Inuwa (46) and seizing 181 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,100kg along with 17.15kg of cannabis seeds.
Kaduna: Expressway patrol officers intercepted 31 jumbo bags containing 775 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 1,027kg along the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway, arresting 29-year-old Mohammed Musa.
Edo: Officers in Otuo, Owan East LGA, intercepted a Toyota Camry carrying 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis (702.83kg), arresting Monday Orji (52), Monday Lawal (40), and Precious Uduegele (20). A separate raid in Benin City led to the arrest of Ojugo Mercy (26) with mixed consignments of Loud, Colorado, and methamphetamine.
Taraba: A joint operation with military personnel in Chanchanji village, Wukari LGA, resulted in the arrest of Abdulrasheed Mohamed (31) and Abubakar Saidu (37) with 166,200 tramadol tablets (107kg).
Plateau: Raiding the Jos residence of Christian Chukwudi Uju (45), operatives recovered 47g of methamphetamine alongside two pump-action rifles, one locally made gun, and over 200 rounds of assorted live ammunition.
Kano, Ondo, & Lagos: Additional seizures of tramadol, diazepam, skunk, and cannabis seeds were recorded in Kano, Akure, and the Orile axis of Lagos State, leading to multiple suspect detentions.
Sensitisation & Leadership Commendation
Alongside law enforcement activities, the NDLEA sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) preventive campaign, hosting educational lectures for students and educators across schools in Oyo, Ebonyi, Niger, Kano, Lagos, and Ogun states.
Commending the personnel involved across the various airport and state commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the officers for their professionalism and urged them to maintain momentum in countering illicit drug supply chains nationwide.
