The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has re-arrested an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Uchechi Sunday, over alleged possession of illicit drugs in Abia State, about 17 months after her initial arrest for drug-related offences.
The agency said operatives arrested Sunday on October 7, 2026, at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.
According to the NDLEA, officers recovered quantities of methamphetamine and Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid, allegedly concealed around her waist with a wrapper. The agency did not disclose the quantity recovered during the latest operation.
NDLEA Cites Intelligence Report
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency said the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that Sunday allegedly operated a drug joint frequented by criminal elements accused of terrorising residents of the community.
The NDLEA said the latest arrest followed an earlier operation at the same residence on May 17, 2025, when Sunday was arrested alongside her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi.
During that operation, officers reportedly recovered 50 grammes of methamphetamine, 522 grammes of skunk, 260 grammes of fresh cannabis leaves and 12 grammes of tramadol.
Previous Conviction and Release
According to the agency, the mother and daughter pleaded guilty to drug-related offences and were each sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or an option of a ₦200,000 fine. They paid the fines and were released, the NDLEA said.
The agency alleged that Sunday subsequently returned to the illicit drug trade and established a drug joint at her residence.
Her re-arrest has renewed attention on efforts to tackle drug-related offences and the alleged use of residential premises for the distribution of illicit substances.
The NDLEA has not disclosed the outcome of any new court proceedings arising from the October 2026 arrest. The latest allegations should therefore be distinguished from the earlier case, for which the agency reported a conviction.
Editorial note: The first arrest was in May 2025 and the latest arrest occurred in October 2026—approximately 17 months later. The headline should avoid suggesting that less than a year elapsed unless the date of the previous conviction is independently confirmed.
