Grey hair has long been associated with wisdom, integrity and respect in society. But recent arrests and convictions have revealed a darker reality behind the frail appearance of some elderly Nigerians. From drug trafficking and child sexual abuse to illegal arms dealing, a growing number are becoming entangled in serious criminal activities, VICTOR AYENI writes

To many pedestrians and motorists who ply Club Road in Umuahia, Abia State, the patent medicine store owned by Pa Godwin Obiora attracted no particular attention.

There was no emblazoned sign bearing the word ‘illegal’ at its entrance. It was usually patronised by unsuspecting residents and visitors who needed various medicines for their ailments.

The store’s manager, Pa Obiora, who was fondly admired by his neighbours and customers for his business acumen even at his old age, was often looked up to as an emblem of wisdom and virtue.

But behind this veneer lay something sinister that made many ears tingle when exposed. The medicine store owned by the septuagenarian was actually used as a front for an illegal drug business.

Secondary school students and other drug users frequented the store during or after school hours under the guise of obtaining over-the-counter medicines.

Using code words, a clientele of addicts purchased opioids such as tramadol, diazepam and other controlled substances.

Following credible intelligence from some residents of the area, officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency raided the store on June 19 and found about 4.64 kilogrammes of opioids.

The septuagenarian was arrested by the agency thereafter. But he was not the only elderly suspect.

Elsewhere in the state capital, another elderly man had also built a reputation that few would have questioned. At first glance, Pa Godfrey Orji, an octogenarian, appeared to embody the dignity often associated with old age.

But behind that image lay an illicit enterprise that had thrived for years, shielded by the widespread assumption that men in their twilight years are incapable of criminal activity.

The pensioner was caught by two security guards at Saint Silas Secondary School, Old Umuahia, while supplying drugs to two teenage students of the school.

“The guards thereafter handed them over to the police, who, in turn, transferred them to the NDLEA on Thursday, June 18,” the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, stated.

During interrogation, one of the teenagers, a 15-year-old SS2 student, admitted that Pa Orji regularly supplied him with drugs, which he used and then sold to other students.

The NDLEA noted that while the grandfathers, Obiora and Orji, would be prosecuted, the students had been placed on counselling and rehabilitation programmes.

The greying face of crime

In African culture, grey hair is widely revered as an emblem of wisdom, accumulated life experience and spiritual maturity.

Far from being seen as something to hide, it is celebrated as a “crown of glory” that represents an elder’s deep connection to their ancestors and the community.

Recent incidents, however, suggest that some older persons are becoming involved in criminal activities, with a few allegedly exploiting the perception that old age is synonymous with innocence to evade suspicion.

Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of elderly Nigerians remain law-abiding citizens.

According to the United Nations, an “older person” or “elderly person” is typically defined as anyone aged 60 years or older.

Research and police reports indicate that senior citizens are increasingly engaging in offences such as drug trafficking, child sexual abuse, and acting as accessories or shields for criminal syndicates.

In northern Nigeria, elders have been utilised by bandits and insurgents to conceal weapons, smuggle illicit drugs, provide safe havens or supply foodstuffs.

Studies have also documented older males, including widowers, committing sexual offences, including rape, against minors.

In a 2023 study by Emmanuel Obarisiagbon published in Ageing International, older adults in Nigeria were found to commit different crimes, such as petty theft and sexual offences, due to several factors, including mental health challenges, financial hardship and frustration, among others.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that criminal networks increasingly exploit older individuals, particularly senior citizens, by luring them into becoming drug couriers.

Senior citizens are often targeted by these criminals because they are perceived as trustworthy and are less likely to be subjected to rigorous security screening.

Perhaps this was why 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother, Mrs Yetunde Barek, became a drug courier.

Mrs Barek, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was attempting to board a flight to London on June 28 when NDLEA operatives arrested her.

At the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a search of Barek’s luggage by officers led to the discovery of 31 large wraps of cocaine.

At first glance, the plantains appeared no different from the others packed among the food items. But beneath the carefully crafted peels was concealed cargo.

The traffickers had hollowed out and disguised the plantains to hide cocaine, making them appear genuine in an apparent bid to beat security checks. When anti-narcotics officers uncovered the deception and weighed the recovered substance, it measured 13 kilogrammes.

In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine.

Behind the walking sticks

Last month, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), disclosed that over the last 18 months, the agency had arrested 29,262 suspected drug offenders, secured 5,225 convictions, and seized more than 5.3 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs.

One of those arrested was a 74-year-old grandfather, Emeka Ikwuakalom, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Pa Ikwuakalom claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for a vacation and was about to board a British Airways flight on March 14 when his luggage was searched.

During the search, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilogrammes were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil paper and balloons.

In January, troops of the Nigerian Army arrested Hauwa Abulazeez, a 65-year-old woman who allegedly supplied illicit drugs to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.

The sexagenarian was believed to be among the suppliers of cannabis to terrorists operating in Askira Uba, Rumirgo, Gwahi, Wamdiyo, Uvu and Gaya communities.

An investigation by the army revealed that Abulazeez sourced the illicit substance from Sarti in Baruwa Local Government Area of Taraba State and transported it through established supply routes for onward distribution.

Unlike Abulazeez, whose degree of criminal involvement was apparently limited to sourcing and distributing illegal drugs, a Kaduna-based octogenarian, Ayuba Ashiru, was fully involved and had a four-decade-long history in the trade.

The 80-year-old was known to sell psychotropic substances to a wide range of people, prompting sources in the area to alert NDLEA officials about his illegal activities.

On May 14, 2025, at Barazana Street, Dogarawa, in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Pa Ashiru was arrested by officers of the agency.

The authorities recovered 2.3 kilogrammes of skunk, neatly packaged in nylon bags and paper for retail distribution.

NDLEA spokesperson, Babafemi, noted that Ashiru is an ex-convict, having previously served a 10-year jail term from 2014 to 2024 for similar drug trafficking offences.

According to his confession, Ayuba had been involved in drug dealing for over 46 years.

In another operation on May 17, 2025, NDLEA operatives raided the home of Mrs Uloma Uchechi in Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor Village, Abia State.

During the search, officers seized methamphetamine, tramadol, skunk and N130,600 in cash from the 82-year-old and her daughter, Chisom Uchechi.

The grandmother admitted to continuing the drug trade with her 32-year-old daughter after her son, who had initially run the operation, died in 2023.

Similarly, on April 5, 2025, NDLEA officers in Abia State arrested a 75-year-old grandfather, Nna Felix, for drug trafficking.

Felix was apprehended with 1.6 kilogrammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, during a raid in Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.

“Many elderly citizens are also experiencing the effects of the economic downturn. Many of us are retirees or pensioners. Look at how the country is treating senior citizens who spent decades working for the country and living upright. There are older people who feel that being upright hasn’t paid off.

“The effect of unemployment on the younger generation is also telling on us. Many of us rely on our adult children for financial support, but what will you do when your children themselves can’t find jobs or take care of themselves? I am not excusing what some criminals are doing, but it’s not easy to tell a hungry or poor person to have integrity.

“There are even some children who abandon their elderly parents for one reason or another. Most of these elders arrested by the police for crimes—ask them about their children. Old age is a different phase of life; you need help, support and people to care for you. Society shouldn’t abandon old people,” a pensioner, Mr Emmanuel Rotimi, told Saturday PUNCH.

Child defilers

Child defilement by adult or elderly men remains a grave criminal offence in Nigeria and is vigorously prosecuted under the law.

Despite the legal protections provided by the Child Rights Act and state laws, which prescribe severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms and, in some cases, life imprisonment, incidents involving elderly men accused or convicted of defiling children continue to be reported.

On Wednesday, a Rivers State Family Court in Port Harcourt sentenced Promise Chukwumatti, a 75-year-old man, to 10 years’ imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.

Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt through oral testimony, the defendant’s confessional statement, and forensic and physical evidence.

After convicting Chukwumatti, the judge ordered that his name be entered into the state’s sex offenders register.

She also ordered him to pay N1 million in compensation to the victim’s family.

“The convict is a shame to fatherhood,” Justice Oguguo said.

She added that although the offence legally carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the court exercised leniency in view of the convict’s plea for mercy and the welfare of his motherless children.

The prosecutor, Precious Ordu, told the court that the convict repeatedly abused the minor in his apartment after luring her with money while she was on her way to school.

Two months ago, the police in Bauchi State arrested a 70-year-old man, Hamza Yahaya, over the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area.

The girl’s father was said to have reported the case alongside his 10-year-old daughter, alleging that Yahaya, who resides in the same area, lured her to his hideout and had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

According to the police, Yahaya denied the allegation during interrogation but confessed to previously sexually assaulting the girl on three separate occasions at the same location.

Why some elderly citizens turn to crime

Speaking on the possible factors that lead senior citizens into crime, a psychiatrist, Dr Victor Essien, explained that while such reports may attract public attention, it is important to avoid assuming that ageing itself predisposes people to crime.

He emphasised that most older adults are law-abiding citizens, adding that criminal behaviour is often influenced by a complex interaction of biological, psychological, social and economic factors.

“From a mental health perspective, certain conditions may increase the risk of inappropriate or unlawful behaviour in a small proportion of older adults. Neurocognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, can impair judgment, reduce impulse control and alter personality, sometimes resulting in socially inappropriate or illegal acts.

“Depression, particularly when accompanied by hopelessness, irritability or substance misuse, may also contribute indirectly to offending. Delirium, medication-related cognitive impairment, alcohol misuse and psychotic disorders may further affect perception, decision-making and behaviour.

“However, the presence of a mental illness does not automatically lead to criminal behaviour, and the overwhelming majority of people living with mental disorders are not violent or criminal,” Essien told Saturday PUNCH.

The mental health expert pointed out that when an older person suddenly exhibits unusual or unlawful behaviour, a comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment is advisable to identify any underlying treatable condition.

“Early recognition, prompt treatment, and strong family and community support remain essential in promoting healthy ageing and reducing preventable behavioural problems,” he added.

Also speaking with Saturday PUNCH, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Babs Akinwunmi, explained that criminological studies consistently show that crime rates generally decline with age, particularly after middle age.

This phenomenon, he noted, is often attributed to increased maturity, stronger social ties, retirement from high-risk lifestyles and a reduced propensity for impulsive or violent behaviour.

Akinwunmi, however, stated that certain contributing factors, including untreated mental illness, substance abuse, chronic stress, domestic disputes, inheritance conflicts and property disagreements, may increase the likelihood of elderly persons offending under particular circumstances.

“The factors that predispose elderly persons to criminal conduct are often complex and multifaceted. Rarely does one isolated circumstance explain the commission of an offence. More commonly, criminal behaviour results from a combination of economic, psychological, medical, familial and social pressures.

“One of the most common factors is financial hardship. Retirement, loss of employment, inadequate pension benefits, rising inflation, declining investments and increasing medical expenses may place considerable financial strain on elderly persons. Faced with limited legitimate means of generating income, some become susceptible to engaging in unlawful activities such as fraud, theft, forgery or acting as couriers for prohibited substances in exchange for financial reward.

“Another significant factor is a decline in cognitive function. Advancing age may be accompanied by conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment and other neurodegenerative disorders that affect memory, judgment, reasoning and comprehension,” Akinwunmi explained.

He added that such impairments may reduce an elderly person’s ability to appreciate the consequences of his or her actions or make the individual particularly vulnerable to deception and manipulation.

The legal practitioner further explained that family influence and manipulation, social isolation and loneliness can equally contribute to criminal conduct.

“Another important factor is greed or the desire for financial gain. While many elderly offenders are driven by genuine economic necessity, this is not universally the case. Some offences are motivated by personal enrichment rather than need.

“Elderly persons occupying positions of trust in business, government or professional practice may become involved in corruption, embezzlement, tax evasion, money laundering, investment fraud or other sophisticated financial crimes. Advanced age, by itself, does not eliminate the possibility of deliberate criminal intent.

“Unresolved consequences of earlier life choices may surface in old age. Individuals who engaged in criminal activity during their youth or middle age may continue offending into old age, particularly where criminal conduct has become habitual or where longstanding financial obligations, debts or associations with criminal networks persist,” Akinwunmi added.

Legal considerations

Three months ago, the police in Cross River State arrested a 60-year-old man, Okon William, for alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking in Odukpani Local Government Area.

Operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit acted on credible intelligence about the suspect’s activities in the Ubanbat community and arrested him on April 19.

“Upon arrest, the suspect was subjected to a thorough search, which led to the recovery of two locally fabricated long guns concealed in his possession,” a police statement read.

According to the statement, Pa William provided useful information aiding ongoing investigations into a network of illegal arms fabrication and distribution in the state.

Last year, three elderly men—Nworu John (65), Chikezie Ubani (65) and Collins Ukandu (55)—were arrested by the Abia State Police Command for allegedly belonging to a gun-running syndicate.

Following credible intelligence, officers apprehended the three men in the early hours of December 11 at their hideout in Obingwa Local Government Area.

The authorities recovered seven firearms, including two automatic pump-action guns, three locally made double-barrel guns, one single-barrel pump-action gun, one locally fabricated six-round revolver and four live cartridges.

Reacting to this, the legal practitioner, Akinwunmi, noted that the fact that an accused person is elderly does not, in itself, exempt him or her from criminal responsibility.

He clarified that under Nigerian law, criminal liability is generally determined by the existence of the prohibited act (actus reus) and the requisite guilty mind (mens rea), rather than the age of the offender.

“Broadly speaking, the only persons who enjoy an absolute exemption from criminal responsibility solely on account of age are children below seven years. This principle is codified under both the Criminal Code Act and the Penal Code and reflects the common law doctrine of doli incapax, meaning ‘incapable of wrongdoing.’

“The law presumes that children below that age lack the mental capacity to appreciate the nature or wrongfulness of their conduct. Unlike young children, there is no corresponding doctrine that exempts elderly persons from criminal liability merely because of advanced age. Consequently, an elderly person who knowingly commits an offence remains liable to investigation, prosecution and punishment in accordance with the law.

“Nevertheless, both criminological research and modern criminal justice systems recognise that advanced age may influence several aspects of the criminal process. While age is not a defence, it is frequently a relevant consideration in determining criminal responsibility, trial procedure, sentencing and rehabilitation,” Akinwunmi explained.

He cited the example of an elderly accused person who may be declared unfit to stand trial where medical evidence establishes that, owing to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or another serious mental condition, the person is incapable of understanding the nature of the proceedings, comprehending the charge, following the evidence, instructing counsel or making a proper defence.

“In such circumstances, the court may suspend or modify the criminal process in accordance with the applicable law governing fitness to stand trial. Similarly, where an elderly person’s mental impairment substantially affected his or her ability to appreciate the nature or wrongfulness of the alleged conduct at the time of the offence, the defence of insanity or diminished mental capacity may arise, provided the legal requirements for those defences are established through credible medical evidence.

“Age may also constitute a mitigating factor during sentencing. Nigerian courts, like many courts in other common law jurisdictions, may consider advanced age alongside ill health, physical frailty, disability, a low likelihood of reoffending, previous good character and other humanitarian considerations when determining an appropriate sentence. Although the seriousness of the offence remains the primary consideration, courts may, where the law permits, impose more lenient or non-custodial sentences in deserving cases.

“Advanced age may equally be relevant in bail applications, particularly where the accused suffers from significant medical conditions requiring specialised treatment or where there is minimal risk of absconding or interfering with witnesses. However, age alone does not automatically entitle an accused person to bail; the court must still consider the gravity of the offence, the strength of the evidence and the overall interests of justice,” Akinwunmi added.

The legal practitioner said correctional authorities owe elderly inmates a duty to ensure that they receive appropriate medical attention and humane treatment consistent with the constitutional guarantees of the dignity of the human person and fair treatment.

He added that where imprisonment is unavoidable, “the age and medical condition of the offender may necessitate special accommodation, healthcare and other welfare measures within the correctional system.”

“The criminal justice system must therefore balance the need to hold offenders accountable with the equally important obligation to ensure that elderly persons are treated fairly, humanely and in accordance with the demands of justice.” (PUNCH)

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