A 101-year-old woman has been arrested with 90 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a bag of fufu in Ilisan, Ogun State, Nigeria. The arrest, which occurred on August 15, 2026, marks a rare development in the country's anti-drug efforts.
A Rare Arrest
Esther Ogunmabo, the 101-year-old great-grandmother, was intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives while on a trip to the market. According to the NDLEA, Ogunmabo claimed that she resorted to selling the drugs after her provisions shop was razed by fire. Her daughter, who resides in Lagos, supplies her with the drugs every four days, which she then turns into bits before selling them.
The NDLEA's Response
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has directed that the suspect be granted bail and placed on counselling due to her advanced age. Ogunmabo's daughter has been arrested in connection with the case. The NDLEA has announced several high-profile arrests this year, including the recent arrest of a businessman and socialite, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, for attempting to export 184.5 kilograms of cocaine.
Cocaine in Fufu: A Shocking Discovery
The news of Ogunmabo's arrest has shocked Nigerians on social media, who are struck by the age of the arrested great-grandmother. The NDLEA has also announced the seizure of synthetic cannabis worth ₦4.4 billion at the Apapa seaport. The agency revealed that the drugs were concealed in other items, which included dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap, and inverter batteries.
A Busy Year for the NDLEA
2026 has been a busy year for the NDLEA, which has made several high-profile arrests. Earlier in the year, the agency busted a large crystal meth factory worth ₦480 billion in Ogun State, where the Nigerian masterminds and their Mexican counterparts were arrested. The NDLEA has vowed to continue targeting trafficking networks nationwide.
The NDLEA's efforts to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria are ongoing, with several high-profile arrests made this year. The agency's determination to target trafficking networks nationwide is a significant step in the fight against drug-related crimes.
Source: Pulse.ng
