From Muhammad Adam, Abia
Two elderly men, aged 84 and 75, are currently in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after they were arrested for allegedly selling illicit drugs to teenage secondary school students in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
The suspects, identified as Godfrey Orji (84) and Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora (75), were arrested in separate operations following intelligence reports linking them to the distribution of controlled substances to minors around school environments.
Pa Obiora was arrested on Friday, June 19, 2026, after NDLEA operatives reportedly uncovered his alleged drug activities at a patent medicine store located at 4 Club Road, Umuahia. During a search of the premises, officers said they recovered about 4.64 kilograms of opioids, including tramadol and diazepam.
In a separate incident, Pa Orji, a pensioner, was arrested after he was reportedly caught by security personnel at Saint Silas Secondary School in Old Umuahia. He was allegedly found supplying illicit drugs to two teenage students whose identities were not disclosed.
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The school security guards were said to have apprehended him and handed him over to the police, who later transferred the case to the NDLEA on Thursday, June 18.
According to one of the students, a 15-year-old SS2 pupil, Pa Orji had been supplying him with drugs, which he allegedly consumed and also sold to other students within the school community.
NDLEA officials say investigations are ongoing, while the two suspects are expected to be charged to court upon completion of inquiries.
Meanwhile, the affected students have been placed under counselling and rehabilitation programmes as authorities move to address the wider impact of drug abuse among teenagers in the area.