Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 101-year-old woman for allegedly dealing in cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State.
The centenarian was apprehended on August 15, 2026, after officers found 90 grammes of skunk, a potent form of cannabis, in her possession. The agency said she confessed to selling the substance in small quantities to customers in the community.
During questioning, the woman reportedly explained that she turned to the illicit trade after a fire destroyed her provisions store, leaving her without a source of livelihood.
She allegedly told investigators that her daughter, who resides in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days for distribution to customers.
Following the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), ordered that the elderly suspect be released on bail and provided with counselling because of her age. Her daughter was later arrested over her alleged involvement in the operation.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Akwa Ibom intercepted a wooden boat suspected of transporting illegal drugs to fishing communities in Cameroon. Three suspects were arrested during the operation, which led to the recovery of about 42.622kg of narcotics.
The seized substances included 42.06kg of skunk, other cannabis products and 20 grammes of cocaine reportedly hidden inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu.
In another major breakthrough, the agency announced its first seizure of illicit drugs allegedly brought from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
Two containers arriving from Thailand were intercepted at the Apapa and Lekki ports in Lagos after intelligence indicated that they were being used to conceal large quantities of cannabis indica, commonly known as Loud.
At Apapa Port, officers discovered 1,090.5kg of the substance in a container declared to contain dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries.
A further 400kg was recovered from another container at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, taking the total quantity seized from both consignments to more than 1.49 tonnes.
The NDLEA estimated the street value of the seized drugs at over N4.4 billion.
The agency said the interceptions suggested that drug trafficking syndicates may be developing a new maritime route through Nigeria to move synthetic cannabis from Thailand into the country.
Beyond the major seizures, NDLEA operatives also recovered methamphetamine, skunk, opioids and other illicit substances during intelligence-driven operations conducted in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency disclosed the arrests and recoveries in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
The latest operations highlight the different tactics allegedly adopted by drug traffickers, including concealing cocaine in food products and disguising large drug shipments in containers declared as legitimate commercial goods.
