The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 80‑year‑old former convict and several other suspects after a series of coordinated operations across six states uncovered large quantities of illicit drugs, including narcotics hidden in full‑body mannequins.
The octogenarian, Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, was taken into custody on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Mmanta‑Abak village, Akwa Ibom State, after intelligence linked him to a narcotics network.
Nkanta, who was previously jailed in December 2022 for drug offences, was found with 5.7kg of skunk, a potent cannabis variant.
Earlier, on Friday, January 9, 2026, operatives intercepted 37‑year‑old Ani Onyebuchi Romans along Oron‑Ibaka Road, Akwa Ibom State, transporting full‑body mannequins filled with 5.3kg of tramadol pills intended for shipment abroad.
NDLEA described the concealment method as a deliberate attempt to bypass inspections.
The operations, conducted between January 6 and January 10, 2026, also led to arrests and drug seizures in Edo, Oyo, Niger, Taraba, and Adamawa states:
Oyo State: On January 8, Remi Bamidele (45) was arrested in Sasa, Ibadan, with 10.696kg of cannabis. Subsequent arrests on January 9 and 10 included Adeola Toheeb (27) and Habeeb Ali (29), each found with assorted cannabis strains.
Edo State: On January 7, Osagbovo Edigin (30) and two others were arrested at Ihama/Airport Road, Benin City, with 118g of Canadian Loud cannabis, while Jimoh Agbonmhegbe (49) was found with 17.552kg of cannabis in Irrua.
Niger State: On January 7, Nazifi Umar (22) was caught in Dakwa, Tafa LGA, carrying 4,000 tramadol pills.
Taraba State: On January 7, Yusuf Usman (41) was arrested in Lankaviri, Yorro LGA, with 47kg of skunk.
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Adamawa State: On January 6, Ugwoke Chibueze (40) was apprehended at Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola, after 30,950 tramadol capsules were recovered from his residence in Bachure, Yola South LGA.
A dispatch rider was also apprehended while transporting suspected drug parcels, highlighting how syndicates exploit courier services for illicit trafficking.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) commended officers across the states for their intelligence-led operations, which he said are disrupting nationwide drug networks.
The suspects are expected to face charges of trafficking, unlawful possession, and criminal conspiracy as investigations continue.