The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has rearrested an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Uchechi Sunday, barely a year after she was convicted of drug-related offences. Uloma was arrested on October 7, 2026, at her residence in Abia State, after intelligence suggested she operated a drug joint frequented by criminal elements. Quantities of methamphetamine and Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid, were found concealed around her waist with a wrapper.
This is not Uloma's first run-in with the law. She was first arrested on May 17, 2025, alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, at the same residence. The agency recovered 50g of methamphetamine, 522g of skunk, 260g of fresh cannabis leaves, and 12g of tramadol from them. Both women pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. They paid the fines and were released, but Uloma allegedly returned to the drug trade.
In a separate operation at the Port Harcourt International Airport, NDLEA operatives arrested a South African national, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, with 32.74kg of cannabis. Jessie reportedly arrived from Thailand through Doha aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431. She admitted to previously trafficking drugs through other African countries and attempting to extend her operations to Port Harcourt.
The NDLEA also intercepted several large consignments of illicit drugs across various states. At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, operatives uncovered 354,000 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg weighing 307.20kg, shipped from Pakistan. In another operation at the Lagos airport, officers intercepted a consolidated cargo from the United Kingdom containing 75.90kg of Colorado.
Further operations led to the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs. In Cross River State, a raid on Iyala Nkun village led to the arrest of Adama Inuwa, 46, with 181 bags of cannabis weighing 1,100kg. In Edo State, officers intercepted a black Toyota Camry conveying 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 702.83kg. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The NDLEA's operations continued in several states, including Ondo, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The agency arrested multiple suspects and seized large quantities of illicit drugs, including cannabis, methamphetamine, and tramadol. The NDLEA's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers for their professional and intelligence-driven operations.
The NDLEA's efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks and curb the distribution of illicit substances across the country are ongoing. The agency's War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign continues in schools, religious centres, workplaces, and communities. Recent activities included lectures at schools in Oyo, Ebonyi, Niger, Kano, Lagos, and Ogun states.
Key points
- The NDLEA rearrested an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Uchechi Sunday, for drug-related offences.
- The agency seized large consignments of illicit drugs across several states, including Lagos, Rivers, Abia, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Cross River, Ondo, and Plateau.
- The NDLEA's operations led to the arrest of multiple suspects and the seizure of various illicit substances, including cannabis, methamphetamine, and tramadol.
