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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Crime
PHOTOS: N10 billion Cocaine, Loud, opioids intercepted at Lagos ports as NDLEA arrests kingpins
A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.
According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
Babafemi said in the course of investigation, three cargo agents identified as Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment, were initially arrested, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.
The NDLEA spokesperson said Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
He mentioned that a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking, was on Tuesday, 21st July, arrested at her Surulere, Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, 20th July.”
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
In a related development, NDLEA officials seized a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, 22nd July.
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A man accused of stealing cables was paraded in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, 26th July, 2026 by a vigilante group at Ompadec, Amarata, while allegedly stealing electrical cables from a home.
According to residents, cable theft has become a recurring problem in the area, leaving them feeling vulnerable.
They expressed relief following his apprehension.
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