The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has rearrested 83-year-old Uloma Uchechi Sunday in Abia State for allegedly possessing methamphetamine and Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid. The arrest occurred on October 7, 2026, at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area, just 17 months after her first drug-related arrest.
According to a statement issued on October 11 by the agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives recovered consignments of methamphetamine and Colorado concealed around her waist with a wrapper. The arrest followed intelligence indicating that Sunday operated a drug joint allegedly frequented by criminal elements terrorising the community.
First Arrest and Conviction in May 2025
Sunday's latest encounter with the NDLEA comes after her initial arrest on May 17, 2025, when operatives apprehended her alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, at the same residence. During that operation, officers recovered 50 grammes of methamphetamine, 522 grammes of skunk, 260 grammes of fresh cannabis leaves, and 12 grammes of tramadol, according to the agency.
The NDLEA stated that both women pleaded guilty to the drug offences and were sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. They paid the fines and were released. However, the agency alleged that Sunday returned to the illicit drug trade after her release and subsequently established a drug joint at her residence.
Details of the Rearrest and Ongoing Operations
Sunday's rearrest was announced as part of a series of nationwide operations in which the NDLEA reported other arrests and seizures of illicit substances. Although the agency confirmed Sunday's latest arrest, its statement did not say that she had been sentenced to prison or remanded following the new case.
The agency's statement highlighted that the 83-year-old's case underscores the persistence of drug trafficking even among elderly individuals, but it provided no further details on her current legal status. The NDLEA has not yet confirmed whether she will face new charges or if additional penalties will be imposed.
