The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended two elderly individuals, an 80-year-old former convict named Ayuba Ashiru and an 82-year-old woman identified as Mrs. Uloma Uchechi Sunday, along with her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, for their involvement in the illicit dr¥g trade.
These arrests were part of a series of raids conducted by NDLEA operatives across Nigeria, as detailed in a statement released on Sunday, May 18, 2025, by the agency’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The case of Ayuba Ashiru presents a concerning instance of recidivism. Having previously been apprehended, prosecuted, and convicted by the NDLEA for dr¥g-related offenses, he served a decade-long prison sentence from 2014 to 2024. Undeterred by his past incarceration, Ayuba allegedly returned to his illicit activities and was once again taken into custody on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
NDLEA officers, acting on reliable intelligence, located and arrested him at Barazana street in the Dogarawa area of Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Upon searching his premises, the operatives discovered a total of 2.3 kilograms of sk¥nk, meticulously packaged in nylons and papers into retail-sized portions, ready for distribution. During the preliminary investigation, Ayuba reportedly confessed to a long-standing involvement in the dr¥g trade, claiming to have been engaged in these illegal activities for approximately 46 years. His repeated offense underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating dr¥g trafficking and the complexities of rehabilitation.
In a separate operation in Abia State, NDLEA operatives conducted a raid on Saturday, May 17th, targeting the residence of 82-year-old Mrs. Uloma Uchechi Sunday in Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village. The intelligence-led operation resulted in the discovery of various quantities of illicit substances, including methamphetamine, tramadol, and sk¥nk, a potent strain of c@nnabis. Additionally, a cash exhibit amounting to N130,600 was recovered from the premises.
The raid led to the arrest of Mrs. Sunday and her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, indicating a familial involvement in the dr¥g trade. During the subsequent interrogation, the elderly Mrs. Sunday reportedly admitted that she and her daughter had taken over the dr¥g business following the death of her son, who had initiated the illegal enterprise two years prior. This revelation highlights the potential for intergenerational involvement in criminal activities and the social implications of the dr¥g trade within communities.
These arrests of elderly individuals underscore the pervasive nature of the illicit dr¥g trade and the diverse demographics involved. The NDLEA’s continued efforts to identify and apprehend individuals at all levels of the dr¥g trafficking network demonstrate their commitment to combating this societal problem.
The cases of Ayuba Ashiru and Mrs. Uloma Uchechi Sunday serve as stark reminders of the persistent challenges and the need for sustained vigilance and proactive measures in the fight against dr¥g trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
The agency is expected to proceed with further investigations and legal proceedings against the arrested suspects.