NDLEA Re-arrests 83-Year-Old Grandmother for Drug Trafficking

Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) re-arrested 83-year-old Uloma Uchechi Sunday on October 7 at her home in Obingwa, Abia State. Operatives found methamphetamine and Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid, tied around her waist.

Sunday was first arrested in May 2025 alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi. Both pleaded guilty and paid ₦200,000 fines each to secure release after a 12-month sentence option.

“She admitted to previously trafficking drugs through other African countries and said she was expanding her routes to Port Harcourt before her arrest.”

The agency alleges Sunday resumed drug operations immediately after release, running a joint frequented by suspected criminals. Intelligence reports led to the latest raid on her residence.

In a separate operation at Port Harcourt International Airport, NDLEA and Customs officers arrested South African national Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie. She carried 32.74 kg of cannabis concealed in 30 parcels inside two bags.

Jessie arrived from Thailand via Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR1431. She reportedly admitted to previous trafficking through other African countries and plans to expand routes to Port Harcourt.

At Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, operatives intercepted 354,000 Tapentadol tablets weighing 307.2 kg. The opioid consignment was bound for Kano.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi stated the operations covered nine states, including Lagos, Rivers, Abia, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Cross River, Ondo, and Plateau, where firearms were also recovered.