Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother for allegedly selling cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State.
The centenarian was arrested on August 15, 2026, with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis that the agency said she admitted selling in small quantities.
According to the NDLEA, the woman told investigators that she turned to the illicit drug trade after a fire destroyed her provisions shop.
She reportedly claimed that her daughter, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days for onward sale to customers in the community.
Following the arrest, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) directed that the elderly woman be granted bail and receive counselling because of her advanced age.
Her daughter was subsequently arrested over her alleged involvement in the drug business.
Cocaine Concealed in Cassava Fufu
In a separate operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat allegedly transporting illicit drugs to fishing settlements in Cameroon.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation, which resulted in the recovery of about 42.622kg of narcotics.
The seizure included 42.06kg of skunk, other quantities of cannabis and 20 grammes of cocaine concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu.
Over 1.49 Tonnes of Cannabis Seized at Lagos Ports
The NDLEA also announced what it described as its first seizure of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
Two containers containing cannabis indica, popularly known as Loud, were intercepted at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos.
At Apapa Port, a container declared to contain dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries was found to contain 1,090.5kg of the illicit substance.
Another 400kg was recovered from a second container at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The combined seizure from the two containers therefore exceeded 1.49 tonnes, with the NDLEA estimating the street value at more than N4.4 billion.
The agency said both containers originated from Thailand, suggesting that drug syndicates may be exploiting a new maritime route to move synthetic cannabis into Nigeria.
More Drug Seizures Across Nigeria
Beyond the major seizures, the NDLEA said its operatives recovered methamphetamine, skunk, opioids and other illicit substances during intelligence-led operations across Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency disclosed the arrests and seizures in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
The latest operations highlight the variety of methods allegedly being used by drug networks, including concealing cocaine in food products and disguising large consignments of illicit drugs inside containers declared to contain legitimate goods.
The NDLEA said it would continue its efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and distribution networks across Nigeria.
