The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)) has arrested two elderly men, aged 84 and 75, over alleged involvement in the sale of illicit drugs to secondary school students in Abia State.
The suspects were reportedly apprehended during an intelligence-led operation carried out by NDLEA operatives following surveillance on suspected drug activities within communities linked to school-age youths.
According to preliminary findings from the agency, the elderly suspects were allegedly distributing narcotics to students in secondary schools around Umuahia, raising serious concerns about the penetration of drug networks into vulnerable educational environments.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed that the arrests were made based on credible intelligence, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and possible connections to wider drug supply networks.
The agency stated that the operation is part of its continued nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse under its “War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)” initiative, which targets drug distribution channels across schools, communities, and public spaces.
The shocking nature of the arrests has drawn public attention, particularly due to the advanced age of the suspects and the alleged involvement of schoolchildren as targets of drug distribution.
Authorities say the suspects will face prosecution upon the completion of investigations in line with Nigeria’s drug control laws.
