NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Kingpin After 7 Years on the Run, Other Suspects Across Nation
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a notorious 60-year-old drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, who had been on the run since 2019. His arrest comes after years of evading law enforcement, culminating in a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s war on drugs.
Okpara was apprehended at his hideout at 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, in the Ojo area of Lagos on Sunday, July 13, following the early morning interception of one of his couriers along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. At about 5:45 a.m., NDLEA officers arrested 51-year-old Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, who was en route to Onitsha, Anambra State, in a white Toyota Sienna van.
Upon searching the vehicle with the aid of sniffer dogs, operatives discovered 7.6kg of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine concealed in hidden compartments. A follow-up raid at Okpara’s residence led to the seizure of an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine, bringing the total drug haul from the operation to 11.6 kilograms.
Airport and Export Operations Yield More Seizures
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) personnel, arrested an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, on July 16. Found in his luggage were 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol, which he claimed were for resale in Italy.
In another operation on July 17, NDLEA operatives at the MMIA export shed intercepted 1.7kg of skunk hidden in Golden Morn cereal packs en route to Pakistan. The suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, was arrested while attempting to ship the drugs as part of consolidated cargo.
Lagos Hotel Raid, Kaduna Warehouse Bust, and More
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A targeted raid on Sarah Sam Hotels in the Kosofe area of Lagos on July 19 uncovered a distribution hub for party drugs. NDLEA arrested Obayemi Oyetade, the alleged ringleader, and recovered 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of cannabis-infused gummies, 22.9g of skunk, and three vehicles from the premises.
In Kaduna State, a massive cache of 742.9kg of skunk and Colorado was seized during an intelligence-led operation in Narayi High Cost area, Chikun LGA. Three suspects—Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu—were arrested.
In Kano, officers intercepted 36,000 tramadol pills along Danbatta-Kazaure Road, arresting one Lawan Rabiu. Meanwhile, in Gombe State, operatives seized 25,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 from Aliyu Abubakar and arrested two others, Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris, with 29kg of skunk in Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba LGA.
Additional Arrests Across the Country
In Borno State, 44-year-old Audu Modu was caught with 74,360 pills of opioids in Maiduguri.
In Bayelsa, 63-year-old Akuna Nelson was arrested in Osiri, Yenagoa, over 163 litres of “skuchies”, a local illicit cocktail.
Along the Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi, NDLEA intercepted 2kg of methamphetamine, arresting four suspects: Ikechukwu Abugu, Sunday Ani, Chukwu Christian, and Emmanuel Olisakwe
In Abia, a raid on notorious dealer Nduka Obi’s base in Aba led to the recovery of multiple drug types and ₦736,000 in cash.
In Enugu, 30-year-old Chisom Okpalaeke was arrested with 45,000 tramadol pills.
In Taraba, two suspects were caught with 10,000 capsules of tramadol and cannabis in Dan Anacha, Gassol LGA.
In continuation of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), NDLEA conducted sensitization lectures in schools across Niger, Adamawa, Enugu, Anambra, and Kano states.
Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the dedication of officers across the affected states. He highlighted the agency’s dual focus on drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction, commending the strategic use of intelligence and technology in recent successes.
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By PRNigeria
