By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
In a series of sweeping nationwide operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled major trafficking networks, arresting a 101-year-old great-grandmother in Ogun State, intercepting cocaine disguised inside edible cassava flour (fufu), and impounding over N4.4 billion worth of synthetic cannabis at Lagos ports.
The widespread crackdowns across land, air, and maritime borders were detailed in an official statement released by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
In Ilisan, Ogun State, NDLEA operatives arrested 101-year-old Esther Ogunmabo after discovering retail sachets of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 90 grams in her possession.
It disclosed that the centenarian confessed to selling the drugs to locals, explaining that she turned to the illicit trade after her provisions shop was destroyed in a fire.
It added that she revealed that one of her daughters residing in Lagos arranged for the drug supplies every four days.
While her daughter was promptly taken into custody, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), directed that the 101-year-old suspect be granted bail and placed on rehabilitation counseling due to her extreme age.
According to the statement, acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA marine operatives in Akwa Ibom State intercepted a wooden boat on the high seas heading toward Cameroonian fishing settlements.
“Three suspects Etima Effiong Eekpo (29), Otobong Eyoh Etukudoh (33), and Kingsley Effiong John (27) were arrested onboard.
“Operatives seized 42.622kg of illicit drugs, including 20 grams of cocaine cleverly concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu,” it added.
Meanwhile, the agency recorded its first-ever direct seizure of illicit narcotics shipped from Thailand through Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
Joint examinations at Apapa Port and Lekki Deep Sea Port uncovered two containers carrying a total of 1,490.5kg of “Thai Loud” (a high-potency synthetic cannabis) packed alongside routine commercial goods and A4 paper.
It noted that the seized shipments carry an estimated street value exceeding N4.4 billion.
“The enforcement drive extended across several other regions:
FCT and Niger State: Operatives seized 24,410 tramadol pills hidden in a commercial bus traveling from Enugu to Zuba, later tracking down and arresting the owner, 28-year-old Sunday Eze, in Kontagora.
“Ondo State: A raid in the Ijare forest resulted in the destruction of a four-hectare cannabis plantation containing 10,000kg of skunk, alongside a separate seizure of 210kg of skunk and an abandoned vehicle in Ita-Ogbolu.
“Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia, and Seme: Operations yielded multiple arrests, including a 65-year-old woman in Ibadan found with a cocktail of pharmaceutical opioids, methamphetamine seizures in Ilorin, 73.3kg of skunk in Kano, and a trio of family members detained near the Seme border.
“Alongside tactical supply-reduction operations, NDLEA commands sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns across schools, religious institutions, and youth camps nationwide.
“Commending the involved officers, Brig. Gen. Marwa urged all regional commands to maintain a aggressive, dual-track approach combining strict enforcement with community-based preventive education,” the statement read in part.
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