NDLEA Arrests 101-Year-Old Woman, Seizes ₦4.4bn Cocaine Hidden In ‘Fufu’

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 101-year-old woman, identified as Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly dealing in cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State.

According to IREPORTERONLINE, the centenarian was arrested on Saturday, August 15, 2026, after NDLEA operatives found 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in small retail sachets in her possession.

During questioning, Ogunmabo reportedly admitted selling the substance to residents in her community. She allegedly explained that she went into the illicit drug trade after losing her provision store to a fire outbreak.

The suspect further claimed that one of her daughters based in Lagos supplied her with cannabis every four days, which she subsequently sold in small quantities.

However, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that the 101-year-old woman be released on bail and subjected to counselling because of her advanced age. Her daughter was reportedly arrested in connection with the case.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

The agency also announced the seizure of large consignments of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, valued at more than ₦4.4 billion at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos.

In Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat on the high seas while acting on intelligence about the transportation of illicit drugs to fishing settlements in Cameroon. Three suspects were arrested during the operation.

The suspects were identified as 29-year-old Etima Effiong Eekpo, who allegedly had 1.120kg of skunk; 33-year-old Otobong Eyoh Etukudoh, who was found with 42.060kg of skunk; and 27-year-old Kingsley Effiong John.

John was allegedly found in possession of 20 grammes of cocaine concealed inside a large wrap of cassava fufu. He was also reportedly carrying 435 grammes of skunk. In total, 42.622kg of illicit drugs was recovered from the suspects.

The NDLEA also recorded what it described as its first seizure of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime corridor. Two containers containing Thai Loud were intercepted at the Apapa and Lekki ports, with the combined street value estimated at more than ₦4.4 billion.

At Apapa Port, a container declared to contain dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries was subjected to a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs and other agencies. The inspection reportedly uncovered 1,090.5kg of Thai Loud packed in 54 cartons.

At the Lekki Deep Sea Port, another container placed under surveillance by the NDLEA was inspected, leading to the discovery of 400kg of Thai Loud hidden among pallets containing other goods.

Elsewhere, operatives in the Federal Capital Territory intercepted three waybill packages containing 24,410 tramadol capsules inside a Hummer bus travelling from Enugu to Zuba. A follow-up operation in Niger State led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, 28-year-old Sunday Eze.

In Ondo State, the agency raided a cannabis farm in Ijare Forest, Ifedore Local Government Area, where about 10,000kg of skunk cultivated across four hectares was reportedly destroyed. Another 210kg of skunk was recovered at Ita-Ogbolu, alongside a Toyota Camry allegedly belonging to a suspect who remains at large.

NDLEA operatives in Kwara State also intercepted a Toyota Starlet along the Ogbomosho-Ilorin Expressway and recovered 1.325kg of methamphetamine and quantities of cannabis. A 22-year-old suspect, Muhammadu Usman, was arrested.

In Oyo State, 65-year-old Adebayo Kaosarat was arrested in the Akobo-Ojuirin area of Ibadan with 4.68kg of assorted illicit drugs, including Scottish Loud, tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam and flunitrazepam.

The agency also reported the arrest of 31-year-old Chibuzor Madueke in Kano State, where 98 blocks of skunk weighing 73.3kg were allegedly recovered.

At Seme in Lagos, three members of the same family were arrested with 48kg of skunk, while a separate raid in Abia State led to the recovery of Loud, Colorado, tramadol and Rohypnol.

Beyond the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA said its commands continued to intensify its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns across schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities.

Marwa commended the officers involved in the operations and urged personnel to maintain a balanced approach by combining drug enforcement with prevention, public awareness and other measures aimed at reducing drug abuse across Nigeria.