101-YEAR-OLD GREAT-GRANDMOTHER ARRESTED FOR SELLING ILLICIT DRUGS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly selling illicit drugs in Ilisan, Ogun State.
According to a report by PUNCH Online, Ogunmabo was arrested with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in retail sachets for sale to residents.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the woman told operatives that she turned to the drug trade after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire. She also reportedly disclosed that her daughter, who lives in Lagos, supplied the drugs to her.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that the centenarian be granted bail and referred for counselling because of her advanced age. Her daughter was also arrested.
The agency said its recent operations across the country also led to major drug seizures, including more than 1,400kg of Thai Loud cannabis intercepted at the Apapa and Lekki ports, with a street value estimated at over N4.4bn.
NDLEA operatives also recovered drugs in several states, including cannabis, tramadol, cocaine and other illicit substances, while destroying a cannabis farm covering four hectares in Ondo State.
Marwa commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain efforts to combat drug trafficking across the country.