The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested an 83-year-old man and a 78-year-old suspect in separate drug trafficking operations across Abia and Ekiti states, signalling that the agency's crackdown on narcotics deals spans all age groups.
The NDLEA announced the arrests as part of ongoing operations to dismantle drug networks in the country. The agency did not immediately provide details about the quantities of drugs seized or the specific locations where the arrests took place, but the busts underscore the growing involvement of elderly citizens in the illicit drug trade.
These arrests come as the NDLEA intensifies its war against drug trafficking following repeated warnings from its leadership about the rising sophistication of dealers and the expanding networks that cut across regional and age boundaries. The agency has ramped up operations in recent months, conducting raids in major cities and rural areas alike.
The arrest of octogenarians raises fresh questions about recruitment patterns within drug syndicates and whether traffickers are exploiting older citizens to move contraband or launder proceeds from the trade. Law enforcement sources say some elderly persons are used as couriers or storage points because they attract less suspicion at checkpoints and in communities.
The NDLEA has not yet disclosed whether the arrested men will be charged in court or what specific drugs were recovered from them. Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigation and interrogation. The agency typically prosecutes drug trafficking cases under the NDLEA Act, which carries sentences of up to 15 years for possession of hard drugs with intent to supply.
The operations in Abia and Ekiti add to a growing list of drug seizures the agency has made across the southeast and southwest regions. Recent months have seen major busts in Lagos, Ogun, and other states, with the NDLEA recovering kilogrammes of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabis.
The agency says it will continue aggressive patrols and intelligence-led operations to arrest traffickers regardless of age or social status. Further updates on the cases and any court proceedings will be announced once investigations conclude.
