101-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrested For Selling Cannabis; Cocaine Hidden In Fufu Intercepted

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a new maritime route allegedly being exploited by international drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle synthetic cannabis into Nigeria, following the seizure of 1.49 tonnes of “Loud” worth more than N4.4 billion at the Apapa and Lekki Deep Sea ports in Lagos.

The seizures, which involved consignments shipped from Thailand, represent the first recorded interception by the agency of illicit drugs trafficked into Nigeria from the Southeast Asian country through the maritime corridor.

The development has raised fresh concerns over the increasing sophistication of international drug networks and their attempts to establish Nigeria as both a destination and transit point for illicit substances.

The breakthrough was part of a series of nationwide operations conducted by NDLEA operatives between August 15 and 22. The operations also resulted in the destruction of 10 tonnes of cannabis, the interception of cocaine concealed in edible cassava flour popularly known as fufu, and the arrest of a 101-year-old great-grandmother allegedly involved in the retail sale of cannabis.

At the Apapa Port, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders, discovered 1,090.5 kilogrammes of Thai Loud concealed in a container declared to contain dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries.

According to the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the container was examined on Friday, August 21, leading to the discovery of 54 cartons containing 2,181 sachets of the illicit substance, with each sachet weighing 500 grammes.

Similarly, at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, another container placed under NDLEA surveillance was jointly examined on Wednesday.

Four of the seven pallets wrapped in black nylon were found to contain 400 kilogrammes of Thai Loud, packed in 96 cartons comprising 400 parcels.

The remaining three pallets contained 798 rims of A4 paper, which investigators said had been used to conceal the illicit consignment.

The NDLEA said both containers were loaded at the Port of Laem Chabang in Thailand, exposing what the agency described as a new trafficking route being exploited by international drug syndicates.

The latest seizures came as NDLEA commands across the country intensified operations against drug traffickers operating through seaports, land borders, waterways and inland routes.

In one of the most unusual cases, operatives in Ogun State arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, at Ilisan on Saturday, August 15, with 90 grammes of skunk packaged in small retail sachets.

The elderly suspect reportedly told investigators that she had resorted to selling cannabis after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire.

She allegedly disclosed that one of her daughters, who resides in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days, which she subsequently sold in small quantities to residents in the area.

Following the arrest, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and placed on counselling because of her advanced age.

Her daughter, however, was arrested over her alleged involvement in the drug business.

Cocaine concealed in fufu

In Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a wooden boat on the high seas following intelligence that illicit drugs were being transported to fishing settlements in Cameroon.

Three suspects were arrested aboard the vessel, which was reportedly heading towards Ine Isu, Ine Mbah and Ine Ikot Itie Udung fishing ports in Cameroon.

The suspects were identified as Eekpo, 29; Otobong Etukudoh, 33; and Kingsley John, 27.

Babafemi said Eekpo was found with 1.120 kilogrammes of skunk, while Etukudoh had 42.06 kilogrammes of the same substance.

John was allegedly arrested with 435 grammes of skunk and 20 grammes of cocaine cleverly concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu.

In all, 42.622 kilogrammes of illicit drugs were recovered from the three suspects.

10 tonnes of cannabis destroyed in Ondo

In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 10,000 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated across four hectares of cannabis farmland in Ijare forest, Ifedore Local Government Area.

The operation followed the arrest of three suspected cannabis cultivators at the same location on August 16.

In a separate operation at Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area, 210 kilogrammes of skunk and a Toyota Camry were recovered.

The vehicle, bearing registration number AGL 223 JH, allegedly belongs to Sylvester Anthony, who remains at large.

Tramadol intercepted in FCT

In the Federal Capital Territory, operatives intercepted three waybill packages containing 24,410 capsules of tramadol inside a Hummer bus travelling from Enugu to Zuba on Saturday.

A follow-up operation in Niger State led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, 28-year-old Sunday Eze, in Kontagora.

Eze was subsequently transferred to Abuja for further investigation.

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Starlet along the Ogbomosho-Ilorin Expressway and recovered 1.325 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and cannabis.

A 22-year-old suspect, Muhammadu Usman, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

In Oyo State, a 65-year-old woman, Adebayo Kaosarat, was arrested at Akobo-Ojuirin, Ibadan, with 1.795 kilogrammes of Scottish Loud, 1.66 kilogrammes of tramadol, 600 grammes of codeine syrup, 125 grammes of diazepam and 50 grammes of flunitrazepam.

Meanwhile, in Kano State, NDLEA operatives recovered 73.3 kilogrammes of skunk from 31-year-old Chibuzor Madueke during a raid along Hadeija Road.

At Seme in Lagos, three members of the same family—Nasiru Tijjani, 52; Moshood Tijjani, 27; and Salami Tijjani, 27—were arrested at Ashipa, near the border, with 48 kilogrammes of skunk.

In Abia State, operatives recovered 14.4 kilogrammes of Loud, 2.3 kilogrammes of Colorado, 386 grammes of tramadol and 134 grammes of Rohypnol from the residence of 36-year-old Ikechukwu Anthony Iwuno at Umuobia Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

NDLEA intensifies anti-drug campaign

Beyond arrests and seizures, the NDLEA said its commands and formations continued with public awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative.

The agency conducted sensitisation programmes in schools, religious institutions, workplaces and communities in Kano, Oyo, Kebbi, Taraba and Edo states.

The Idiroko Special Area Command in Ogun State also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Chairman of Ipokia Local Government Area, Johnson Avoseh.

Marwa commended officers and men of the Ogun, Apapa, Lekki, Seme, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia and FCT Commands for their efforts.

He urged NDLEA personnel nationwide to sustain what he described as a balanced approach to drug control, combining enforcement with prevention, public enlightenment, counselling and community engagement.

The latest operations, according to the agency, underscore the need for sustained inter-agency cooperation and stronger surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime and land borders as traffickers continue to devise new methods and routes for moving illicit drugs into and through the country.

101-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrested For Selling Cannabis; Cocaine Hidden In Fufu Intercepted

Lagos Moves to Tackle Housing Deficit, Inaugurates 2026 World Habitat Day Committee

The Lagos State Government has inaugurated the planning committee for the 2026 World Habitat Day celebration, charging members to deploy their expertise and work collaboratively towards finding sustainable solutions to the state’s housing and urban development challenges.

The committee was inaugurated last Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja.

Speaking at the inauguration, Wasiu described World Habitat Day as an important platform for reflecting on the state of human settlements and reaffirming the fundamental right of every individual to adequate housing.

He said the 2026 theme, “Adequate Housing for All,” was particularly relevant to Lagos, given the need for stronger and more coordinated efforts to address housing challenges and improve living conditions across the state.

The Permanent Secretary called for greater collaboration among government agencies, private sector operators, development partners and other stakeholders in the built environment, stressing that the housing challenge required a comprehensive and sustainable response.

“I want you all to bring your expertise and contribute meaningfully before, during and after the programme because Lagos is widely regarded as the pacesetter of development in Nigeria,” he said.

Wasiu further urged committee members to approach their assignments with professionalism, dedication and a strong sense of purpose, while leveraging their diverse expertise to deliver a meaningful and impactful celebration.

He said the housing deficit could no longer be addressed through fragmented interventions, noting that a holistic approach was required to bridge the existing gap.

“The housing deficit is something we have to critically and holistically address in order to bridge the existing gap,” he added.

READ ALSO:

• Lagos Moves to Tackle Housing Deficit, Inaugurates 2026 World Habitat Day Committee
• Hawk Fire in US Rages On, Burns 10,500 Acres in Nevada, Forces Mass Evacuations
• ICPC uncovers alleged fake agency claiming 2017 FEC approval after nine years

He explained that the Office of Physical Planning was responsible for coordinating the annual World Habitat Day observance in Lagos, adding that members of the 2026 planning committee were drawn from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies to promote broad representation, inclusiveness and effective coordination.

World Habitat Day is observed globally on the first Monday of October each year to draw attention to the state of human settlements and the right to adequate shelter.

The 2026 Lagos State celebration is scheduled for Monday, October 5, at the Blue Roof, LTV Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban development, expanding access to adequate housing and implementing policies aimed at improving the quality of life of Lagos residents.

Lagos Moves to Tackle Housing Deficit, Inaugurates 2026 World Habitat Day Committee

ICPC uncovers alleged fake agency claiming 2017 FEC approval after nine years

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered an alleged fake government agency that operated from the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) for years while presenting itself as a properly constituted federal institution.

The organisation, identified as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, allegedly claimed that it had received Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval in 2017 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the ICPC said its investigation found that the office was operating without presidential authorisation and contrary to extant laws, raising questions about how it secured office space within the OSGF complex and maintained an official-looking structure for years.

The development was disclosed by ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, after he briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the Commission’s investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and other weaknesses in the public service.

Aliyu said the discovery of the alleged fake agency emerged from the broader investigation into how unauthorised organisations could operate within government structures.

He said the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office had been illegally allocated office space within the OSGF premises, despite allegedly lacking the required authorisation to function as a federal agency.

The Commission identified George Buchi Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the organisation.

According to the ICPC chairman, Nwabueze allegedly operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.

A profile on the organisation’s website lists Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator”, further linking the individual to the organisation at the centre of the ICPC investigation.

READ ALSO:

• Rivers Monarch Escapes Assassination as Gunmen Raze Palace, Several Wounded
• 2027: Over 500 Northern Muslim Clerics Endorse Tinubu for Second Term
• Messi Fined for Slapping Opponent in Heated Philadelphia Draw

The organisation had built an elaborate public profile around its activities. Its website presented the office as an initiative focused on promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, supporting local industries, developing Nigerian brands and encouraging investment in domestic manufacturing.

Its stated objectives included the revival of moribund factories through investment arrangements, support for local brands, development of a national labelling and counterfeit surveillance system, and promotion of Nigerian products through trade fairs and exhibitions.

The organisation also published what it described as a “Bill for an Act to Establish the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission and for Related Matters.”

The purported legislation, identified on its website as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission Act, 2025, was presented as providing a legal framework for the establishment of a commission responsible for promoting Nigerian brands and local manufacturing.

However, the publication of the proposed bill does not, by itself, establish that the organisation had been legally created as a federal agency.

The organisation also claimed that its activities had a 2017 FEC approval.

According to information published on its website, the Federal Executive Council allegedly approved a “National Campaign to Sensitize Nigerians on the Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products” at a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on February 1, 2017.

The organisation listed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as the implementing ministry.

That claim has become one of the issues requiring verification as part of the ICPC investigation. While the organisation presents the 2017 FEC approval as part of its history, the anti-corruption agency maintains that the office was operating without the necessary presidential authorisation.

The alleged agency also established an extensive nationwide leadership structure, with national, zonal and state coordinators.

Its published structure included officials assigned to different geopolitical zones and states, creating the appearance of a federal organisation with representation across the country.

The organisation’s website also displayed official-looking green-and-white insignia bearing references to “The Presidency” and “Made in Nigeria”, further contributing to its public presentation as a government-backed initiative.

It maintained social media accounts under the handle @pmainpro on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

The ICPC is now investigating how the organisation was able to maintain such a structure and operate from government premises without being stopped earlier.

Aliyu also alleged that the organisation’s promoter may have had the suspected collaboration of some senior public servants within the OSGF.

The Commission is examining the role of officials who may have facilitated the organisation’s access to office accommodation and other government resources.

Following the ICPC briefing, President Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and directed the suspension of three permanent secretaries pending the outcome of the investigation.

The affected officials are M.S. Danjuma, Engr. Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

The presidential action came amid a wider investigation into alleged fictitious government structures, following the earlier discovery of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The ICPC had alleged that the PFIPC was not a legitimate federal government institution despite presenting itself as one. Its alleged promoter, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is facing prosecution over allegations including forgery and impersonation.

The discovery of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office has now widened concerns about fraudulent government structures and weaknesses in public-service oversight.

The case has raised questions about how an organisation allegedly lacking valid presidential authorisation could obtain office accommodation within the OSGF, establish a nationwide network of coordinators and maintain an official-looking online presence.

The ICPC said it had engaged officials of the OSGF to obtain additional information on how the organisation secured its accommodation and to establish the roles allegedly played by the suspended permanent secretaries and other individuals.

The Commission said its investigation would continue and that further findings would be communicated to the appropriate authorities.

For now, the alleged 2017 FEC approval, the circumstances surrounding the organisation’s occupation of government premises and the alleged involvement of public officials remain subjects of investigation.

The allegations against Nwabueze, the suspended officials and any other persons linked to the matter have not been established by a court. All individuals involved are entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

ICPC uncovers alleged fake agency claiming 2017 FEC approval after nine years