The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 85-year-old woman and five other suspects following a series of anti-drug operations across Edo State.
The agency said the raids resulted in the recovery of 407.39 kilogrammes of cannabis and smaller quantities of other controlled substances.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed the arrests in a statement released on Monday in Benin City.
85-Year-Old Woman Arrested With 179kg of Cannabis
According to Ofoyeju, the elderly suspect, identified as Grace Ehimeka, popularly known as Mama Grace, was arrested at her residence in Warake community on October 16.
NDLEA operatives reportedly recovered 15 bags of cannabis weighing 179 kilogrammes from the property.
The commander said the woman acknowledged ownership of the seized substances in a statement to investigators and appealed for another opportunity.
Reacting to the arrest, Ofoyeju maintained that advanced age did not exempt anyone from complying with Nigeria’s drug laws.
He expressed disappointment over the alleged involvement of an elderly woman in drug-related activities, describing it as a troubling example for younger generations.
Five Other Suspects Arrested in Coordinated Operations
The agency also announced the arrest of five other individuals during operations in different parts of Edo State.
They were identified as Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35.
Garba was arrested in Ivbiaro on October 15 after operatives reportedly found 5.85kg of cannabis in his possession.
Braimoh was arrested in the same community that day with an alleged 100 grammes of cannabis.
In Warake, officers arrested Mubid and reportedly recovered two kilogrammes of cannabis, 309 grammes of cannabis seeds, 114 grammes of loud and 135 grammes of assorted pharmaceutical substances.
The pharmaceutical products were identified as including tramadol, diazepam and swinol.
NDLEA Recovers 220.8kg of Cannabis From Another Suspect
In a separate operation on October 16, NDLEA officers arrested Ayo Aigberadion in the Ewe/Irue area of Owan East Local Government Area.
The agency said the suspect was found with 220.8 kilogrammes of cannabis, one of the largest individual seizures recorded during the operations.
Another suspect, Hope Okoro, was apprehended in Auchi town after officers reportedly recovered 237 grammes of loud.
The agency said the combined seizures reflected its continued efforts to disrupt the distribution of illegal drugs across communities in Edo State.
NDLEA Calls for Public Support Against Drug Trafficking
Ofoyeju said the arrests formed part of intensified enforcement activities targeting drug trafficking and substance abuse.
He urged residents to assist security agencies by reporting suspected drug-related activities and providing reliable information that could support investigations.
The commander maintained that cooperation between the public and law enforcement authorities was essential to reducing the availability of illegal drugs.
The agency did not provide details of formal charges or court proceedings against the six suspects in the statement.
