Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother and intercepted illicit drugs with a street value of N4.4 billion in a series of coordinated operations across Nigeria.
Centenarian Suspect Apprehended in Ogun State
The NDLEA said the suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, was arrested on Friday, August 21, 2026, at her residence in the Ijebu-Igbo area of Ogun State. According to the agency, she was found in possession of 1.2 kilogrammes of cannabis, which she claimed she used for medicinal purposes.
The agency noted that the arrest of the centenarian is part of its ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks, regardless of the age or status of those involved. The suspect is currently in custody and will face charges after the completion of investigations.
Major Interceptions Across Multiple States
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos intercepted a consignment of cocaine and heroin weighing 15.6 kilogrammes. The drugs were concealed in bags of local spices and were destined for Europe. Two suspects, a 45-year-old businessman and a 32-year-old trader, have been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The agency also raided a warehouse in the Aba area of Abia State, where it recovered 3,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa and 500 kilogrammes of methamphetamine. The total street value of the drugs seized in the warehouse is estimated at N2.8 billion. One suspect, a 38-year-old man identified as the owner of the warehouse, was arrested at the scene.
Coordinated Operations Yield N4.4 Billion in Seizures
According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the combined street value of all drugs seized in the operations between August 18 and August 21, 2026, is N4.4 billion. He said the agency has intensified its crackdown on drug cartels, with a focus on both supply and distribution networks.
Babafemi added that the agency is working with international partners to track the movement of the intercepted consignments and to identify the kingpins behind the shipments. He said the arrests demonstrate the NDLEA's commitment to eradicating the illicit drug trade in Nigeria.
Investigation and Next Steps
The NDLEA has said that all suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations. The agency also urged members of the public to provide credible information that can lead to the arrest of drug traffickers, assuring that informants' identities would be protected.
The agency's spokesperson reiterated that the NDLEA remains vigilant and will continue to conduct raids and patrols across the country, including in border areas and seaports, to prevent the importation and exportation of illicit substances. The latest operations are part of a sustained campaign to break the cycle of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
