NDLEA Arrests Notorious Drug Kingpin After 7 Years on the Run, Intercepts Major Drug Shipments Nationwide
Lagos, Nigeria – July 20, 2025 – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking with the arrest of a wanted drug kingpin, multiple seizures across the country, and the destruction of over 100 tonnes of cannabis in Osun State.
Sixty-year-old Okpara Paul Chigozie, who had been on the agency’s wanted list since 2019, was arrested at his hideout in Isheri, Lagos, on Sunday, July 13. His arrest followed the earlier interception of one of his couriers, Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway at Ilasamaja. Achebe, 51, was en route to Onitsha, Anambra State in a white Toyota Sienna when NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, apprehended him with 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of methamphetamine concealed in compartments of the vehicle.
A follow-up raid at Okpara’s residence yielded an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine, bringing the total seizure linked to the kingpin to 11.6kg of illicit drugs.
Major Airport Seizures and Hotel Raid
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) personnel intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from the luggage of an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, on July 16. The suspect admitted he intended to sell the drugs in Italy at higher prices.
On July 17, NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport export shed also intercepted 1.7kg of cannabis concealed in packs of Golden Morn cereal and destined for Pakistan. The suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, was arrested after presenting the cargo.
In another operation, NDLEA raided Sarah Sam Hotels in the Ogudu area of Lagos on July 19. Acting on surveillance and intelligence, operatives arrested Obayemi Oyetade, identified as the mastermind behind a local drug distribution ring. The operation led to the seizure of 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of cannabis-infused gummies, and 22.9g of skunk, along with three vehicles from the hotel premises.
Nationwide Operations and Seizures
- Kaduna State: On July 19, NDLEA raided a drug base in Narayi High Cost area, Chikun LGA, arresting three suspects with 742.8kg of skunk and Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain.
- Kano State: Lawan Rabiu was caught on July 16 with 36,000 tramadol pills along Danbatta-Kazaure road.
- Gombe State: On July 18, Aliyu Abubakar was caught with 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5. On the same day, Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were arrested with 29kg of compressed skunk in Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba LGA.
- Borno State: NDLEA officers intercepted 74,360 pills of opioids in a Mercedes Benz C180 along Baga road, Maiduguri, arresting Audu Modu, 44.
- Bayelsa State: A 63-year-old grandmother, Akuna Nelson, was arrested on July 17 with 163 litres of skuchies, a local drug cocktail, at Osiri, Yenagoa.
- Kogi State: On July 17, four suspects traveling from Onitsha to Minna were arrested along Okene-Lokoja highway with 2kg of methamphetamine.
- Abia State: NDLEA raided the base of a notorious dealer, Nduka Obi, at Ugwa Road, Aba, recovering various illicit drugs and ₦736,000 in cash.
- Enugu State: Chisom Okpalaeke, 30, was arrested with 45,000 tramadol pills along Onitsha-Enugu expressway on July 16.
- Taraba State: On the same day, Ngwokwoka Thomas and Mohammed Audu were arrested with 10,000 tramadol capsules and 1g of cannabis in Dan Anacha, Gassol LGA.
Destruction of Drug Farms in Osun
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives in Osun State destroyed over 101,150kg of cannabis cultivated in a remote forest, marking one of the largest drug farm destructions this year.
WADA Advocacy Continues Nationwide
NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, delivering sensitization lectures to students in Niger, Adamawa, Enugu, Anambra, and Kano States. Schools visited include Government Day Secondary School, Badeggi; Dah Model Academy, Ngurore; Icon Academy, Nsukka; Government Technical College, Nkpor; and Madrisatul Tahfizul Qur’an Wa Ulumud Deen, Kano.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s operatives across MMIA, Lagos, Osun, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Borno, Kogi, Abia, Gombe, Enugu, and Taraba Commands for their dedication in both drug supply suppression and demand reduction efforts.
“The intensity and balance between enforcement and education underscore our commitment to a drug-free Nigeria,” Marwa stated.
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Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
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