The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 85-year-old grandmother, Grace Ehimeka popularly known as Mama Grace in Edo State for allegedly possessing 179 kilograms of cannabis.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, in a statement issued to journalists in Benin City.
According to Ofoyeju, Ehimeka was apprehended along with five other suspects during coordinated raids across Owan East Local Government Area and other locations. The operations resulted in the confiscation of 407.39kg of cannabis, 546g of “loud” (a potent strain of cannabis), 114g of tramadol, 4g of diazepam, and 3g of Swinol.
The other suspects were identified as Ali Garba, 57; Habib Braimoh, 45; Musa Mubid, 35; Ayo Aigberadion, 53; and Hope Okoro, 35. They were arrested in Warake, Ivbiaro, Ewe Uzeba, and other communities following actionable intelligence.
Ofoyeju emphasized that age does not exempt anyone from the law, stating, 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.
In her statement to the agency, Ehimeka reportedly admitted to owning the 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. Officers, if you give me another chance, I will never sell cannabis again,” she pleaded.
The statement also detailed related arrests: On October 15, Garba was caught in Ivbiaro with 5.85kg of cannabis, while Braimoh was apprehended the same day with 100g of the substance.
Mubid was arrested in Warake with 2kg of cannabis, 309g of cannabis seeds, 114g of loud, and 135g of assorted pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol, Swinol, and diazepam. Aigberadion was arrested in Ewe/Irue, Owan East LGA, on October 16 with 220.8kg of cannabis. Okoro was also apprehended in Auchi with 237g of loud.
Ofoyeju reiterated that these arrests and seizures are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Edo State. He urged the public to provide timely and credible information to aid the fight against illicit drugs.
