Crime
PHOTOS: NDLEA busts Illicit drug warehouse recovering over N6.7bn Opioids in Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a continuation of their nationwide offensive action against drug syndicates, have successfully dismantled a major opioids cartel. An intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of a key baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and five members of his gang. Illicit substances worth over N6.7 billion were recovered from their secret warehouse located within a residential estate in Lagos.
The arrests followed credible intelligence indicating that the Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) was preparing to distribute over 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million mls) of Codeine Syrup. These massive quantities were warehoused in a residential compound at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri area of Isolo, Lagos state, ahead of the Christmas festive season.
A Special Operations Unit of the NDLEA executed a well-coordinated operation between Wednesday, November 19, and Thursday, November 20, 2025, to round up members of the syndicate and dismantle their criminal network. The operation began with the trailing and arrest of two DTO members, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, at Apple Junction, Festac area of Lagos on Wednesday, November 19, while they were conveying 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
A follow-up operation to the syndicate’s main warehouse at Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, the following day, Thursday, November 20, led to the arrest of Onyekachi Nwanagu and other members of his syndicate, including Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
In total, the seizure amounted to 7,272,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg valued at N3,960,000,000 and 53 million milliliters of Codeine Syrup valued at over N2,762,550,000. The combined street value of the seized drugs reached N6,722,550,000.00. The recovered substances were moved out of the estate in eleven trucks to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the professionalism and dedication of the Commander and operatives of the Special Operations Unit, as well as the Strike Force Unit involved in the dismantling of the syndicate. He described the breakthrough as a major blow to cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.
“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement,” Marwa stated. “The seizure of this colossal volume of illicit drugs, which could have fueled addiction, crime, and insecurity across our nation, represents a victory for the Nigerian people and a confirmation of our unwavering commitment to the mandate given to us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He emphasized that the Agency’s focus remains squarely on the kingpins and financiers of the illicit drug trade.
“The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over. The arrest of this drug baron and his criminal cohorts, following an intensive intelligence operation, serves as a stark reminder that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with every merchant of death, no matter how high or deeply concealed they think they are,” he concluded.
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A man was nabbed after over an alleged attempt to steal yams at the busy Zaki Biam Yam Market in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident which occurred on Thursday, December 18, 2025 disrupted activities and drew a crowd of traders and buyers.
Eyewitnesses said the suspect was caught in the act and restrained by market traders before the situation escalated.
Preliminary accounts identified him as a vehicle conductor from Plateau State.
Traders urged that the matter be handed over to security agencies for proper investigation and warned against mob action.
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Troops of Sector 2 of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force intercepted two pickup vans conveying assorted items suspected to be logistics supplies for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The interception followed credible human intelligence indicating the movement of the items from Dapchi through the Magumeri general area.
According to the security analyst, the troops intercepted the vehicles during the operation and took the drivers into custody for further interrogation.
Items recovered from the two vehicles included 31 spare tyres, 23 spare rims, two bicycles, 12 key starters, three alternators, two bags of flour, one mattress, five bags of charcoal, 34 tubers of yam, two blankets, nylon bags containing garri, adult and children clothing, one power bank, six mobile phones and a cash sum of N92,600.
The vehicles and recovered items were currently in custody, while investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and possible links to ISWAP logistics networks.
The troops, sources said, remained committed to disrupting the movement of supplies to terrorist groups and maintaining pressure on criminal elements across the area of responsibility.
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