The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency carried out an intelligence led operation that led to the arrest of a suspected drug leader, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and five associates. Officials recovered drugs with an estimated street value of about N6.7 billion from a concealed warehouse inside a residential estate in Lagos.
Acting on reliable tips that a Drug Trafficking Organisation planned large scale distribution ahead of the Christmas period, NDLEA agents moved against a stash at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri-Oshun, Isolo. The operation unfolded between November 19 and 20, 2025.
On November 19, officers tracked and arrested two members, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, at Apple Junction in Festac. They were stopped while moving 300 cartons of opioids in a truck. A follow up raid on the warehouse the next day resulted in the arrest of Nwanagu and other suspects, including Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
Seized items included 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, valued at roughly N3.9 billion, and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup with an estimated street value of over N2.7 billion. The full haul was loaded into 11 trucks and taken to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) praised the Special Operations Unit and Strike Force Unit for the success. He called the result a major blow to those preying on young people and stressed the agency will focus on kingpins and financiers of the drug trade. He said, “This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement. The seizure of this colossal volume of illicit drugs, which could have fuelled 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 Tinubu,” Marwa stated.
He added a strong warning to traffickers, saying, “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,” Marwa added.
The NDLEA said the arrests and seizures show the impact of intelligence led work and vowed continued action to dismantle drug networks across the country.
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