he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting a notorious drug kingpin and intercepting several large consignments of narcotics, including packages bound for Pakistan.
A statement released by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Monday, July 21, confirmed the arrest of 60-year-old Okpara Paul Chigozie, a drug cartel leader wanted since 2019. He was apprehended at his hideout on Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo, Lagos, following the interception of a white Toyota Sienna van carrying drugs linked to him.
The van, which was heading to Onitsha, Anambra State, was stopped at Ilasamaja along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway at about 5:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 13. A search conducted with sniffer dogs uncovered 7.6 kilograms of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine. The driver, identified as 51-year-old Achebe Nnamdi, was arrested at the scene.
A follow-up search at Okpara’s residence led to the seizure of an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine.
In a separate operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from a passenger, Omoregie Uyiosa, who was traveling to Italy via Turkish Airlines on July 16.
On July 17, the agency intercepted 17 parcels of cannabis skunk weighing 1.7kg concealed in packs of Golden Morn cereal, set for export to Pakistan. The suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, was arrested at the export shed.
NDLEA operatives also raided Sarah Sam Hotels in Ogudu, Kosofe LGA, Lagos, on July 19, where “party drugs” were reportedly distributed. The suspect, Obayemi Oyetade, was found in possession of cannabis-laced chocolate, gummies, and skunk. Three vehicles were also impounded.
In Kaduna State, three men—Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu—were arrested with 742.866kg of cannabis and synthetic variants during a raid in Chikun LGA.
Other notable seizures included:
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36,000 pills of tramadol in Kano (July 16)
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25,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 in Gombe (July 18)
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29kg of cannabis in Gombe (July 18)
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74,360 opioid pills in Maiduguri, Borno (July 19)
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163 litres of skuchies in Yenagoa, Bayelsa (July 17)
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2kg of methamphetamine in Kogi (July 17)
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Assorted drugs and N736,000 cash recovered from Nduka Obi in Aba, Abia (July 14)
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug networks and urged public cooperation through timely intelligence sharing.
