By Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an 85-year-old grandmother, Grace Ehimeka, popularly known as Mama Grace, with 179kg of cannabis in Warake community, Owan East Local Government.
The octogenarian was arrested alongside five other suspected drug traffickers during coordinated raids across parts of Edo State, which led to the recovery of 407.39kg of cannabis and other illicit substances.
The NDLEA Commander in Edo State, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this yesterday in a statement made available to journalists in Benin.
According to him, the operation also led to the seizure of 546 grammes of loud, 114 grammes of tramadol, four grammes of diazepam and three grammes of Swinol.
The other suspects arrested were Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35.
Ofoyeju said the suspects were arrested in Warake, Ivbiaro and Ewe Uzeba communities following actionable intelligence.
He warned that old age was no excuse for criminality, assuring residents that the command remained committed to ridding the state of illicit drugs.
“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 October 16, 2026, in her house at Warake community. This is a bad example for her children and grandchildren,” Ofoyeju stated.
In her confessional statement, Ehimeka reportedly admitted ownership of the illicit drugs and pleaded for forgiveness.
“I am a widow and started selling cannabis over two years ago just to survive. My family members have warned me to stop, but I kept postponing my decision to stop. Officers, if you give me another chance, I will never sell cannabis again,” she pleaded.
In a related operation in Ivbiaro community on October 15, operatives arrested Garba with 5.85kg of cannabis, while Braimoh was apprehended the same day with 100 grammes of the substance.
In Warake community, Mubid was arrested with two kilogrammes of cannabis, 309 grammes of cannabis seeds, 114 grammes of loud and 135 grammes of assorted pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol, Swinol and diazepam.
Similarly, Aigberadion was arrested in Ewe/Irue, Owan East Local Government Area, on October 16, with 220.8kg of cannabis.
Okoro was apprehended in Auchi, Edo State, according to the general account of the operation. However, the detailed account of his arrest in the NDLEA statement reportedly places the operation in Ndukwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, a discrepancy that requires clarification.
Ofoyeju said the arrests and seizures formed part of the agency’s renewed efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb substance abuse.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist the agency in its fight against drug trafficking and abuse.