The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 101-year-old woman, Esther Ogunmabo, in Ilisan, Ogun State, for allegedly dealing in cannabis.
The centenarian was arrested on August 15, 2026, with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in retail sachets. She reportedly told NDLEA operatives that she began selling the drug after a fire destroyed her provisions shop. She also said one of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days for onward sale.
Following her arrest, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed on counselling because of her advanced age. Her daughter was subsequently arrested over the alleged supply of the cannabis.
In a separate operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat allegedly transporting illicit drugs towards fishing settlements in Cameroon. Three suspects were arrested, with 42.622kg of narcotics recovered.
Among the seizures was 20 grammes of cocaine concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu, alongside 435 grammes of skunk. Two other suspects were found with 1.12kg and 42.06kg of skunk respectively.
The agency also announced the seizure of more than 1.49 tonnes of Thai Loud, a synthetic cannabis, from two containers intercepted at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos. NDLEA valued the consignments at more than ₦4.4 billion and described the operation as its first seizure of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime route.
Other operations across Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia, Lagos, Niger State and the FCT resulted in the recovery of cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, opioids and other illicit substances, according to the agency.