NDLEA Arrests Two Drug Kingpins in Lagos, Foils Bandits’ Supply Chain in Northeast
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing clampdown on illicit drug networks, arresting two high-profile traffickers in Lagos and intercepting large consignments of narcotics allegedly headed for terrorists and bandits in the Northeast.
According to the agency, operatives of its Special Operations Unit (SOU) apprehended the Lagos-based suspects after weeks of surveillance, seizing cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine prepared for export to Europe and other destinations.
The suspects—identified as 64-year-old Victor Nwosa, who posed as a textile merchant, and 49-year-old Felix Chika Obiegbu, a wine distributor—allegedly concealed their drug operations under the guise of legitimate businesses. Nwosa was arrested on September 17 at his residence in Okota, where operatives recovered 4.33 kilograms of heroin and 448 grams of cocaine. Obiegbu was picked up earlier on September 11 at his home in Surulere, with 2.9 kilograms of methamphetamine seized during the operation.
Interceptions in the Northeast
In separate operations in Borno and Yobe states, NDLEA operatives disrupted attempts to channel narcotics to bandits and terrorist groups.
In Borno, officers arrested 26-year-old Baba Kaka Ibrahim on September 27 near Njimtilo village while driving a Mercedes Benz jeep. Concealed in the vehicle’s engine compartment were 39,380 pills of Tramadol 225mg and Exol-5, reportedly en route to Damaturu.
On the same day in Yobe State, operatives intercepted a woman, Halima Adamu, along the Damaturu-Maiduguri road with 39 parcels of synthetic cannabis, also known as Colorado, weighing 1.4kg. A follow-up operation in Maiduguri led to the arrest of another woman, identified as Habiba Muhammad, in connection with the consignment.
Cannabis Plantations Destroyed in Edo
The agency also launched an offensive against large-scale cannabis cultivation in Edo State, destroying more than 24,000 kilograms of skunk across two major forest areas.
On September 23, NDLEA operatives stormed a 4.8-hectare cannabis farm in Uromi forest, Esan West Local Government Area, seizing 12,115.6 kilograms of the substance and arresting two suspects, Ernest Uche and Felix Mugorga. The following day, another 12,031.2 kilograms were destroyed at a 4.4-hectare plantation in Ogu forest, Igueben Local Government Area.
In a related operation, two suspects were arrested after operatives intercepted a truck loaded with 1,025 kilograms of skunk hidden in charcoal bags along the Wareke-Auchi road.
Other Nationwide Seizures
Similar operations across the country yielded further arrests and seizures:
- Kano: Two suspects were nabbed on the Zaria-Kano road with 30,030 Tramadol pills.
- Bayelsa: Three suspects were arrested at Swali jetty, Yenagoa, with 12kg of skunk and 50 live cartridges.
- Ekiti: An ex-convict, Femi Owoeye, previously jailed for drug trafficking in 2016, was rearrested with 32kg of skunk.
- Kaduna/Gombe: A suspect was caught with 404 blocks of skunk weighing 262.6kg at the Abuja-Kaduna tollgate. A follow-up operation in Gombe State led to the arrest of the consignment’s intended receiver.
NDLEA Commends Officers
The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), applauded the operatives for what he described as their “dexterity and resilience” in the execution of the operations.
“These seizures and arrests underscore our determination to safeguard Nigeria from illicit substances that threaten public health and national security,” Marwa said. “Every gram of dangerous drugs removed from circulation is a step towards protecting our youths, dismantling criminal networks, and strengthening national security.”
He urged officers to sustain the momentum and maintain a balanced approach in the agency’s war against drugs.
