NDLEA Arrests 101-Year-Old Woman as Cocaine Is Found Hidden in Fufu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a series of drug seizures across Nigeria, including the arrest of a 101-year-old woman in Ogun State and the interception of cocaine concealed inside a wrap of fufu in Akwa Ibom State.

According to the NDLEA, Esther Ogunmabo, 101, was arrested in Ilisan, Ogun State, on August 15 with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis packaged in small retail sachets. She allegedly told investigators that she began selling the substance after a fire destroyed her provisions shop.

The centenarian reportedly said one of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days, which she then sold in small quantities to customers.

Because of her advanced age, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed under counselling. Her daughter was also arrested in connection with the alleged drug trade.

In a separate operation in Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat allegedly transporting illicit drugs toward fishing settlements in Cameroon.

Three suspects were arrested during the operation.

Among them was 27-year-old Kingsley Effiong John, who was allegedly found with 20 grammes of cocaine cleverly concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu. He was also reportedly carrying 435 grammes of skunk.

The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately 42.622kg of narcotics from the three suspects, according to the NDLEA. The agency also announced the seizure of two containers containing 1,490.5kg of cannabis indica, popularly known as Loud, at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos.

The consignments were shipped from Thailand, and the NDLEA said the seizures represented its first recorded interception of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime corridor. The agency estimated their street value at more than ₦4.4 billion.

The latest operations also led to the recovery of methamphetamine, opioids, tramadol, codeine, diazepam and other illicit substances across several states.

The NDLEA said the seizures demonstrate the increasingly varied methods allegedly being used by drug trafficking networks, from maritime routes and containers to everyday food items.

The agency says it will continue intelligence-led operations across Nigeria’s land and maritime borders as it intensifies its fight against drug trafficking.