NDLEA uncovers drug syndicate, arrests elderly suspect and doctor in major bust

A 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The nonagenarian, identified as Friday Ahukanna Chigbu, was apprehended at his residence in Umuagbaigba, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, April 12, by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a search conducted at Chigbu’s home led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
Babafemi revealed that the suspect claimed he previously worked as a truck pusher before learning painting and tiling, eventually venturing into the illicit drug trade over a year ago. He also admitted to having smoked skunk since 1959 before turning it into a business.
The NDLEA spokesperson further disclosed that efforts to dismantle a local network linked to an international drug syndicate resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old Ivorian, Michael Gohouri, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. He was found in possession of 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.
This development led to the subsequent arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, during a follow-up operation in Ogun State.
Babafemi explained that Gohouri was intercepted during outward clearance for passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to Milan via Addis Ababa on February 16, 2026.
He added: “Gohouri had arrived in Lagos from Milan, Italy, on January 17, 2026, and had been shuttling between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks. He later moved to Kano, where he stayed for a week before ingesting the cocaine consignment in his hotel room. He was to be paid 5,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the drugs in Milan.
“Further investigation revealed that Gohouri was acting under instructions from a hidden figure who coordinated the movement of the cocaine through the airport.
“That individual was later identified as Dr. Chudi Daniel Ofomata, who was tracked to his residence at Teachers’ Land Estate, Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. He was arrested on March 27, 2026, and subsequently flown to Kano on Tuesday, April 7.”
Items recovered from the doctor include 63 grams of promazepam and seven ampoules of promethazine injection.