The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says operatives have arrested Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, an 80-year-old ex-convict, over alleged possession of illicit drugs.
According to NDLEA, Nkanta was previously sentenced to two years in prison by the federal high court in Akwa Ibom state after he was arrested in November 2022 for engaging in illicit drug business.
In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, alleged that Nkanta returned to the illicit drug business after completing his jail term.
Babafemi said on January 10, operatives tracked the octogenarian to Abak village in Abak LGA of Akwa Ibom and 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, was allegedly found in his residence.
“Barely three years after he was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to two years imprisonment for dealing in illicit drugs, an 80-year-old grandpa Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta has again been nabbed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for returning to the criminal trade,” the statement reads.
“Notorious for illicit drug business, Nkanta was first arrested by NDLEA on 14th December 2022, prosecuted and sentenced to two years in jail by a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.”
OTHER ARRESTS
In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested Ani Onyebuchi Romans, a 37-year-old businessman, who was conveying mannequins allegedly stuffed with pills of tramadol weighing 5.3 kilograms.
The suspect was arrested along Oron-Ibaka road in Oron LGA in Akwa Ibom state while heading to Cameroon.
“The suspect claims he resides in Cameroon and was reportedly returning to his base after the Christmas and New Year holidays when he was apprehended,” Babafemi said.
“It was revealed that he bought the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra state and was trafficking them to Cameroun to sell, using two mannequins to conceal the opioids.”
The NDLEA spokesperson said operatives arrested Remi Bamidele, 45-year-old man, at Sasa, Ibadan,Oyo state, over alleged possession of numerous strains of cannabis.
“At Adegbayi area of the state capital Ibadan, NDLEA officers on Friday 9th January arrested Adeola Toheeb, 27, with various quantities of Colorado, Ghana Loud and skunk while Habeeb Ali, 29, was nabbed at Ring road, Ibadan with 1.264kg Colorado, Scottish Loud and skunk,” the statement reads.
“Not less than one million three hundred and seven thousand one hundred naira (₦1,307,100) cash exhibit was also recovered from him at the point of his arrest on Saturday 10th January.
“A dispatch rider Osagbovo Edigin, 30, and two other suspects: Ebimi Labo, 28, and Akhimie Success, 25, were on Friday 9th January arrested at Ihama/Airport road GRA Benin City, Edo state in connection with the seizure of 118grams of Canadian Loud and a wrap of Colorado.”
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