Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs in Ilisan, Ogun State.
The centenarian was arrested on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in small sachets for retail sale. She reportedly told operatives that she sold the substance to residents in the area.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, saying Ogunmabo claimed she turned to the illicit drug trade after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire.
According to the statement, the woman told investigators that one of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with the substance every four days, which she then sold in small quantities.
“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have recorded significant breakthroughs across the country’s land and maritime borders, including the arrest of a 101-year-old great-grandmother for dealing in illicit drugs,” the statement said.
Babafemi said the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed on counselling because of her advanced age. He added that her daughter had also been arrested.
Three Arrested With Drugs Bound for Cameroon
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives in Akwa Ibom State intercepted a wooden boat allegedly transporting illicit drugs to fishing settlements in Cameroon.
Babafemi said the boat was intercepted on the high seas on Friday, August 21, following credible intelligence.
Three suspects aboard the vessel were arrested while allegedly heading towards the Ine Isu, Ine Mbah and Ine Ikot Itie Udung fishing ports in Cameroon.
They were identified as 29-year-old Etima Effiong Eekpo, who was allegedly found with 1.120kg of skunk; 33-year-old Otobong Eyoh Etukudoh, who had 42.060kg of skunk; and 27-year-old Kingsley Effiong John, who was found with 20 grammes of cocaine concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu, along with 435 grammes of skunk.
Babafemi said a combined total of 42.622kg of narcotics was recovered from the three suspects.
