By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 101-year-old woman in Ogun State and seized illicit drugs worth over N4.4 billion across Nigeria. The agency made the arrests and seizures between August 15 and 22, 2026, during operations across land and maritime borders. The operations targeted drug trafficking networks, cannabis farms and illegal shipments. They also uncovered a new Thailand-to-Nigeria route for synthetic cannabis trafficking.
101-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Drug Dealing
NDLEA operatives arrested Esther Ogunmabo, 101, in Ilisan, Ogun State, on Saturday, August 15.
The operatives found 90 grams of skunk in retail sachets during the operation.
Ogunmabo reportedly admitted selling the cannabis to people in her community.
She explained that her provisions shop previously caught fire and was destroyed.
According to her, the loss pushed her into the illegal drug trade.
She also claimed that her daughter in Lagos supplied the cannabis.
The daughter reportedly arranged deliveries every four days.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), ordered her release on bail.
He also directed that she receive counselling because of her age.
However, operatives arrested her daughter over the alleged drug supply.
Cocaine Concealed Inside Edible Cassava Fufu
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Akwa Ibom intercepted a wooden boat on August 21.
The boat was heading towards fishing settlements in Cameroon.
The agency said the suspects planned to deliver drugs to Ine Isu, Ine Mbah and Ine Ikot Itie Udung.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation.
They include Etima Effiong Eekpo, 29, Otobong Eyoh Etukudoh, 33, and Kingsley Effiong John, 27.
Eekpo had 1.120kg of skunk, while Etukudoh possessed 42.060kg of skunk.
John had 435 grams of skunk and 20 grams of cocaine.
He allegedly concealed the cocaine inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu.
Overall, NDLEA recovered 42.622kg of narcotics from the suspects.
NDLEA Intercepts N4.4bn Thai Loud at Lagos Ports
The agency also recorded a major maritime breakthrough in Lagos.
NDLEA intercepted two containers containing cannabis indica, popularly called Loud.
The consignments arrived from Thailand through the maritime corridor.
Their combined street value exceeds N4.4 billion.
The agency said this marked its first seizure of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand.
The development also revealed a potential new trafficking route.
Drug syndicates may now be exploiting the Thailand-Nigeria maritime corridor.
1,090.5kg of Loud Seized at Apapa Port
NDLEA officers examined a container at Apapa Port on August 21.
The joint operation involved NDLEA, Customs and other relevant agencies.
The container reportedly carried several legitimate goods on its declaration.
These included dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries.
However, officers discovered 1,090.5kg of Thai Loud inside.
The drugs filled 54 cartons containing 2,181 sachets.
Each sachet weighed 500 grams.
400kg of Loud Intercepted at Lekki Port
At Lekki Deep Sea Port, NDLEA officers intercepted another container.
The agency had already placed the container on its watchlist.
Its Marine Special Operations Unit also monitored the shipment.
Officers jointly examined the container on August 19.
They found seven pallets wrapped in black nylon.
Four pallets contained 96 cartons of Thai Loud.
The cartons held 400 parcels weighing 400kg.
The remaining three pallets contained 798 rims of A4 paper.
The traffickers allegedly used the paper as cover for the drug shipment.
Tramadol Shipment Intercepted in Abuja
NDLEA operatives also intercepted 24,410 tramadol capsules in the Federal Capital Territory.
They recovered the drugs from three waybill packages on August 22.
The packages travelled inside a Hummer bus from Enugu to Zuba.
A follow-up operation in Niger State led to another arrest.
Operatives arrested Sunday Eze, 28, in Kontagora.
Authorities later transferred him to Abuja for further investigation.
NDLEA Destroys 10,000kg Cannabis Farm in Ondo
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives raided a cannabis farm in Ijare Forest.
The operation took place in Ifedore Local Government Area on August 19.
The agency had earlier arrested three suspected cannabis growers there.
Officers destroyed 10,000kg of skunk across four hectares.
In another operation, operatives recovered 210kg of skunk at Ita-Ogbolu.
The location falls within Akure North Local Government Area.
They also recovered a Toyota Camry linked to Sylvester Dibiagu Anthony.
Anthony remains at large.
Other Major Drug Seizures Across Nigeria
NDLEA also recorded major seizures in several states during the week.
In Kwara State, officers intercepted a Toyota Starlet on August 21.
The vehicle had no registration number.
A search uncovered 1.325kg of methamphetamine and cannabis sativa.
Operatives arrested 22-year-old Muhammadu Usman over the seizure.
In Oyo State, officers arrested 65-year-old Adebayo Kaosarat in Ibadan.
They found 4.68kg of assorted controlled substances in her possession.
The drugs included Scottish Loud, tramadol, codeine syrup, diazepam and flunitrazepam.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers arrested Chibuzor Madueke in Kano.
The 31-year-old suspect allegedly possessed 73.3kg of skunk.
Officers recovered 98 blocks of cannabis from him.
Family Members Arrested Near Seme Border
NDLEA officers also arrested three family members near the Seme border in Lagos.
The suspects include Nasiru Tijjani, 52, Moshood Tijjani, 27, and Salami Tijjani, 27.
Operatives recovered 48kg of skunk from them.
In Abia State, officers also raided a residence in Umuahia South.
The operation targeted Ikechukwu Anthony Iwuno, 36.
Officers recovered 14.4kg of Loud and 2.3kg of Colorado.
They also seized 386 grams of tramadol and 134 grams of Rohypnol.
NDLEA Continues Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
Beyond arrests, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
The agency conducted sensitisation programmes in schools and communities.
It also visited worship centres and workplaces across several states.
The campaign reached students and staff at Umar Bn Khattab College in Kano.
NDLEA also engaged Markaz Al-Furqan Centre in Kishi, Oyo State.
Other programmes took place at the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Kebbi.
The agency also addressed participants at a youth camp in Benin City, Edo State.
Furthermore, the Idiroko Special Area Command visited Ipokia Local Government officials.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Operatives
Marwa commended officers involved in the recent operations across Nigeria.
He specifically praised teams in Ogun, Apapa, Lekki and Seme.
He also recognised operatives in Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara and Kano.
The NDLEA chairman also commended teams in Abia and the FCT.
He urged officers to maintain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
Marwa said the strategy should combine enforcement with prevention and public education.
The agency is expected to continue targeting drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
