A 101-year-old great-grandmother has been arrested in Ogun State, Nigeria, after authorities accused her of dealing in cannabis.
The woman, identified as Esther Ogunmabo, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ilisan, Ogun State, on August 15, 2026. According to the agency, she was found with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in small quantities which she allegedly sold to people in the area.
The arrest has attracted attention because of Ogunmabo’s advanced age. According to the NDLEA, the centenarian told investigators that she became involved in the illegal trade after a fire destroyed her provisions shop.
She reportedly explained that the loss of her business left her looking for another source of income. She further told investigators that one of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, allegedly supplied the substance to her regularly, with the woman then selling it in smaller quantities.
Following the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed under counselling because of her age.
The agency also announced that the woman’s daughter had been arrested in connection with the case.
The development formed part of a wider series of drug-related operations carried out by the NDLEA across different parts of Nigeria. The agency said its officers had recorded several arrests and seizures as part of efforts to disrupt the distribution of illicit substances across the country.
In another operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA officers intercepted a wooden boat allegedly transporting illicit drugs towards fishing settlements in Cameroon. Three suspects were arrested, while a total of 42.622 kilogrammes of narcotics were recovered, according to the agency.
The NDLEA also reported major seizures at ports in Lagos, where two containers allegedly shipped from Thailand were intercepted. The containers were found to contain large quantities of cannabis indica, also known as “Loud,” according to the agency.
At the Apapa Port, authorities said a container declared to contain legitimate goods was found to contain more than one tonne of the substance. Another container intercepted at the Lekki Deep Sea Port yielded an additional 400 kilogrammes.
The NDLEA said the combined street value of the two consignments was estimated at more than N4.4 billion.
The agency has continued to intensify its operations against drug trafficking and distribution across Nigeria, targeting both individuals involved in local distribution and larger networks allegedly responsible for transporting illicit substances.
Meanwhile, Ogunmabo’s case has drawn particular attention because of her age and the circumstances she reportedly gave investigators for becoming involved in the illegal trade. Authorities’ decision to grant her bail and provide counselling reflects consideration of her advanced age while the investigation continues.
The arrest remains an allegation, and any determination of criminal responsibility would ultimately depend on the appropriate legal process.
Source: Thepressradio.com
