By Ameh Gabriel
In a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against narcotics, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 60-year-old drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, who has been on the agency’s wanted list since 2019. His arrest, which marks the end of a seven-year manhunt, was made on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Isheri, Lagos State, during a coordinated operation.
Okpara was captured at his hideout on 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, just hours after NDLEA operatives intercepted one of his major drug shipments at Ilasamaja along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway. Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives arrested 51-year-old courier Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, who was en route to Onitsha, Anambra State in a white Toyota Sienna.
A detailed search using sniffer dogs led to the discovery of 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of methamphetamine, carefully concealed within the vehicle’s compartments. A follow-up operation at Okpara’s residence uncovered an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of meth, bringing the total seizure from the syndicate to 11.6kg.
Nationwide Crackdown on Illicit Drugs
Meanwhile, the NDLEA continues to intensify its nationwide operations, yielding multiple arrests and seizures:
- At Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, operatives in collaboration with Aviation Security (FAAN) intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from a passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, bound for Italy via Turkish Airlines.
- In another airport bust, 17 parcels of skunk (1.7kg) were discovered hidden in Golden Morn cereal packs destined for Pakistan. The shipper, Chioba Robert Uchenna, was arrested.
- In Kosofe LGA, Lagos, NDLEA raided Sarah Sam Hotels, seizing 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of cannabis-infused gummies, and 22.9g of skunk from suspect Obayemi Oyetade. Three vehicles were also recovered from the premises.
- In Kaduna State, three suspects Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu were arrested at Narayi High Cost with over 742kg of skunk and Colorado.
- In Kano State, Lawan Rabiu was caught with 36,000 tramadol pills on the Danbatta-Kazaure road.
- In Gombe, a series of busts led to the seizure of 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 and 29kg of skunk, while suspects Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were detained.
- In Borno, Audu Modu (44) was arrested along Baga Road, Maiduguri, with 74,360 opioid pills in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
- In Bayelsa State, a 63-year-old grandmother, Akuna Nelson, was arrested in Yenagoa with 163 litres of skuchies a locally brewed psychoactive drink.
- Along Okene-Lokoja Highway in Kogi State, 2kg of methamphetamine were recovered from four suspects: Ikechukwu Abugu, Sunday Ani, Chukwu Christian, and Emmanuel Olisakwe.
- In Aba, Abia State, the notorious Nduka Obi was raided with various quantities of tramadol, cocaine, heroin, meth, and ₦736,000 in cash recovered.
- In Enugu, Chisom Okpalaeke (30) was arrested with 45,000 tramadol pills, while in Taraba, Ngwokwoka Thomas and Mohammed Audu were caught with 10,000 tramadol capsules and 1g of cannabis.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued with sensitization programs across schools in Niger, Adamawa, Enugu, Anambra, and Kano States, reinforcing the agency’s drug demand reduction strategy.
Leadership Commendation
Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), commended the agency’s operatives across the country for their diligence. He praised the success of recent operations in Lagos, MMIA, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Borno, Kogi, Enugu, Taraba, and other zones, reaffirming the NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting illicit drug networks and safeguarding public health.
“These arrests are a testament to our resolve to dismantle drug trafficking operations and protect Nigerian communities from the harms of illicit substances,” said Marwa.
