A 60-year-old wanted drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, according to Mr Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, who had eluded arrest for over seven years, has finally been captured by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), marking a major success in the agency’s ongoing offensive against illicit drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.
Chigozie, who has been on the NDLEA’s wanted list since 2019, was arrested on Sunday, 13th July 2025 at his hideout at 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, in Lagos. His arrest followed the early morning interception of a drug consignment linked to him along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway at Ilasamaja, where a courier, Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi (51), was apprehended while heading to Onitsha in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle.
Upon searching the vehicle with sniffer dogs, operatives discovered 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of methamphetamine hidden in the compartments. A swift follow-up raid at Chigozie’s residence led to the seizure of an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine.
Major Airport Busts Uncover International Drug Routes
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA operatives in collaboration with Aviation Security of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) arrested an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, on Wednesday, 16th July, with 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol concealed in his luggage. The suspect confessed he planned to sell the drugs in Italy.
The following day, Thursday, 17th July, NDLEA agents intercepted a Pakistan-bound shipment of 1.7kg of skunk hidden in packs of Golden Morn cereal. The suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, who presented the consignment at the export shed, was arrested.
Lagos Hotel Raided for Party Drug Sales
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday, 19th July raided Sarah Sam Hotels, located at 115 Ogudu Road, Kosofe, following credible intelligence that the hotel was being used as a distribution hub for recreational drugs. The suspected ringleader, Obayemi Oyetade, was arrested with 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of drug-laced gummies, and 22.9g of skunk. Three vehicles were also impounded from the premises.
Nationwide Sweep Nets Major Seizures and Arrests
A series of coordinated operations across the country resulted in further breakthroughs:
- Kaduna: Three suspects—Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu—were arrested in Chikun LGA with 742.8kg of skunk and synthetic Colorado.
- Kano: Lawan Rabiu was intercepted with 36,000 tramadol pills along the Danbatta-Kazaure road.
- Gombe: Aliyu Abubakar was caught with 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5; Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were found with 29kg of compressed skunk.
- Borno: Along Baga Road in Maiduguri, NDLEA officers seized 74,360 pills of opioids from a Mercedes Benz, leading to the arrest of Audu Modu, 44.
- Bayelsa: A 63-year-old grandmother, Akuna Nelson, was arrested in Yenagoa with 163 litres of ‘skuchies’, a dangerous local cocktail.
- Kogi: Four suspects—Ikechukw Abugu, Sunday Ani, Chukwu Christian, and Emmanuel Olisakwe—were caught along Okene-Lokoja highway with 2kg of methamphetamine.
- Abia: At a notorious base in Aba, NDLEA arrested Nduka Obi with a cocktail of illicit substances including tramadol, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, alongside N736,000 in cash.
- Enugu: Chisom Okpalaeke, 30, was arrested on the Onitsha–Enugu expressway with 45,000 pills of tramadol.
- Taraba: Ngwokwoka Thomas and Mohammed Audu were nabbed in Gassol LGA with 10,000 tramadol capsules and a gram of cannabis.
Osun Forest Cannabis Operation
In a major environmental and anti-narcotics offensive, NDLEA operatives in Osun State destroyed 101,150kg of skunk found in a vast forest plantation, dealing a significant blow to local cannabis cultivation networks.
NDLEA Expands Anti-Drug Advocacy in Schools
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across educational institutions. Awareness lectures were delivered at Government Day Secondary School (Badeggi, Niger), Dah Model Academy (Ngurore, Adamawa), Icon Academy (Nsukka, Enugu), Government Technical College (Nkpor, Anambra), and Madrisatul Tahfizul Qur’an Wa Ulumud Deen (Fagge, Kano).
Marwa Commends Operatives, Calls for Sustained Vigilance
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the dedication of officers across all commands—especially in Lagos, Osun, Kaduna, Gombe, Bayelsa, Borno, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, and Taraba.
“This week’s operations reflect our continued commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria. We are matching enforcement with prevention through sustained advocacy,” Marwa said.
With the capture of one of Nigeria’s most wanted drug traffickers and a series of strategic raids, the NDLEA continues to send a strong message: drug traffickers have no safe haven in Nigeria.
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