NDLEA Declares Alleged Drug Kingpin, Three Associates Wanted, Freezes N9.84bn, Seizes Multi-Billion-Naira Assets
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, also known as "Odogwu," and three of his associates wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, producing illicit drugs, and laundering proceeds of drug trafficking. The agency also disclosed that it has frozen bank accounts containing over N9.84 billion and secured interim forfeiture orders on several high-value assets linked to the suspects.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking by declaring four suspects wanted in connection with the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State.
The wanted suspects are Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, popularly known as "Odogwu," Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as "Ekene Okwunaga."
According to a statement issued on Friday by the NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspects were declared wanted following an order by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026. The court order followed an application filed by the agency on July 3, 2026.
The declaration stems from investigations into a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered by NDLEA operatives at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026.
During the operation, officers recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other materials used in the production of the illicit drug. Subsequent investigations allegedly linked the four suspects to the illegal laboratory, after which they reportedly went into hiding.
The agency said forensic and financial investigations led to the freezing of bank accounts connected to the suspects, with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66.
In addition, the NDLEA obtained interim forfeiture orders covering several assets allegedly acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking. The assets include a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings, and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) bearing registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY, and FST 208 HU.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved in the investigation, describing the operation as another major step in dismantling drug trafficking networks and disrupting their financial operations.
Marwa said the seizure of billions of naira in suspected illicit funds and the forfeiture of valuable assets demonstrate the agency's determination to ensure that drug traffickers can no longer use legitimate businesses to conceal proceeds of crime.
He reaffirmed the agency's commitment to tracking down the fleeing suspects and anyone connected to the syndicate, adding that the NDLEA would continue to deploy financial intelligence and forensic investigations to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to drug trafficking.
The NDLEA chairman also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in locating the wanted suspects, assuring Nigerians that all information received would be treated confidentially as the agency intensifies efforts to combat drug trafficking and its associated social and economic consequences.
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