The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking, leading to the arrest of a 60-year-old cartel leader, Okpara Chigozie, who had evaded capture since 2019. The agency also intercepted international consignments concealed in food items, raided hotels distributing “party drugs,” and seized significant quantities of narcotics across multiple states.
In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that Chigozie was arrested at his hideout on Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo, Lagos, following the interception of a white Toyota Sienna carrying his illicit cargo on Sunday, July 13, along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
“Okpara, who has been on the NDLEA wanted list since 2019, was arrested after 7.6kg of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine were discovered hidden in compartments of a space bus,” Babafemi said.
The vehicle’s driver, Achebe Nnamdi (51), was also arrested, while a follow-up operation at Chigozie’s residence yielded an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine.
Major Busts at Lagos Airport
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA operatives working with aviation security intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from a passenger, Omoregie Uyiosa, heading to Italy on Wednesday, July 16.
On Thursday, July 17, another attempt to smuggle 1.7kg of cannabis (skunk) disguised in packs of Golden Morn cereal to Pakistan was foiled, leading to the arrest of Chioba Robert Uchenna.
Raids and Arrests Across States
- Lagos: NDLEA stormed Sarah Sam Hotels, Ogudu Road, Kosofe, linked to Obayemi Oyetade, recovering 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of cannabis-infused gummies, and 22.9g of skunk.
- Kaduna: Three suspects were arrested at Narayi High Cost area with 742.8kg of skunk and Colorado (synthetic cannabis).
- Kano: Lawan Rabiu was arrested with 36,000 tramadol pills on Danbatta-Kazaure Road.
- Gombe: Aliyu Abubakar was arrested with 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5, while Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were caught with 29kg of compressed skunk.
- Borno: A patrol team intercepted 74,360 opioid pills along Baga Road, Maiduguri, arresting Audu Modu (44).
- Bayelsa: A 63-year-old grandmother, Akuna Nelson, was arrested in Yenagoa for possessing 163 litres of “skuchies”.
- Kogi: Four suspects were apprehended along Okene-Lokoja highway with 2kg of methamphetamine en route from Onitsha to Minna.
- Abia: A raid in Aba led to the arrest of Nduka Obi (39), with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, tramadol, and N736,000 in cash recovered.
This sweeping crackdown highlights the NDLEA’s aggressive push to dismantle major drug networks and intercept both domestic and international trafficking routes.
