A 101-year-old woman, Esther Ogunmabo, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for allegedly selling cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State.
Ogunmabo was arrested on Saturday, August 15, 2026, after NDLEA operatives reportedly found 90 grammes of skunk, a form of cannabis, in her possession. The substance was allegedly packaged in small quantities for sale.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the centenarian admitted selling the substance to residents in the community.
Babafemi said Ogunmabo told investigators that she became involved in the illicit trade after a fire destroyed her provisions store.
The NDLEA spokesman also said the suspect claimed that one of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, supplied her with the cannabis regularly.
“She said one of her daughters, who resides in Lagos, arranges the supply of the substance to her every four days, which she in turn sold in bits,” Babafemi said.
The agency said the daughter allegedly linked to the supply of the cannabis has also been arrested.
Following the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and referred for counselling because of her advanced age.
The arrest formed part of the NDLEA’s recent operations targeting drug trafficking and illicit drug activities across different parts of the country.
The agency also reported other arrests and drug interceptions at various locations, including Nigeria’s land and marine borders.
The case has attracted attention because of Ogunmabo’s age and the circumstances surrounding her alleged involvement in the cannabis trade.
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