The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 85-year-old grandmother and five other suspected drug traffickers during coordinated raids in Edo.
The Edo Commander of NDLEA, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Benin.
Ofoyeju said the operations led to the seizure of 407.39kg of cannabis and other illicit substances, including 546g of loud, 114g of tramadol, four grammes of diazepam and three grammes of swinol.
The NDLEA boss identified the suspects as Grace Ehimeka, 85; Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35.
He said Ehimeka, also known as Mama Grace, was arrested at her residence in Warake on Oct. 16, with 15 bags of cannabis weighing 179kg.
Ofoyeju noted that old age was no excuse for violating the law, adding that the command remained committed to combating illicit drug trafficking in the state.
“The NDLEA Act is clear: you cannot hide under the canopy of old age and perpetrate acts that violate the law.
“The octogenarian, Grace Ehimeka, was apprehended on Oct. 16, in her house at Warake community.
“This is a bad example for her children and grandchildren,” he said.
The commander said Ehimeka admitted ownership of the drugs in her statement and pleaded for another chance.
Ofoyeju said operatives arrested Garba in Ivbiaro on Oct. 15, with 5.85kg of cannabis, while Braimoh was arrested in the same community on the same day with 100g of the substance.
He added that Mubid was arrested in Warake too with two kilogrammes of cannabis, 309g of cannabis seeds, 114g of loud and 135g of assorted pharmaceuticals, including tramadol, swinol and diazepam.
According to him, Aigberadion was arrested in Ewe/Irue, Owan East Local Government Area, on Oct. 16, with 220.8kg of cannabis.
Ofoyeju said Okoro was apprehended in Auchi town with 237g of loud.
“The arrests and seizures form part of our renewed efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse,” he said.
The NDLEA chief urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
