In a sweeping anti-narcotics operation across multiple states, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a notorious drug baron, intercepted international drug consignments, and uncovered large quantities of illicit substances hidden in vehicles, homes, and even food packs.
The NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement released Sunday, confirmed the arrest of 60-year-old Okpara Paul Chigozie, a major player in Nigeria’s drug trafficking network who had been evading capture since 2019.
Chigozie was apprehended at his hideout in the Isheri area of Ojo, Lagos State, following the early morning interception of a white Toyota Sienna van transporting illegal drugs toward Onitsha, Anambra State. The vehicle was halted at Ilasamaja on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway around 5:45 am on Sunday, July 13.
The van’s driver, 51-year-old Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, was arrested on the spot. A search using sniffer dogs revealed 7.6 kilograms of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle’s compartments. A follow-up raid at Chigozie’s residence yielded an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of meth.
In another operation, NDLEA officers stationed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, arrested one Omoregie Uyiosa, a passenger bound for Italy via Turkish Airlines. Uyiosa was caught with 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol, which he confessed he intended to sell abroad.
On July 17, airport officers also intercepted a shipment of skunk — a potent strain of cannabis cleverly hidden inside Golden Morn cereal packs bound for Pakistan. The man behind the shipment, Chioba Robert Uchenna, was taken into custody.
Still in Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided Sarah Sam Hotels on Ogudu Road, Kosofe, believed to be a hub for the distribution of “party drugs.” The operation, conducted on Saturday, July 19, targeted suspect Obayemi Oyetade. From his room, agents recovered 1.3kg of cannabis-infused chocolate, 900 grams of drug-laced gummies, and 22.9 grams of skunk. Three vehicles were also seized.
In Kaduna State, a sting operation led to the arrest of three individuals — Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu at Narayi High Cost area, Chikun LGA. Officers confiscated over 742kg of skunk and Colorado, a synthetic variant of cannabis.
In Kano, 36,000 pills of tramadol were found on Lawan Rabiu along the Danbatta-Kazaure road on July 16.
On July 18, two suspects in Gombe State — Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were caught with 29kg of compressed skunk in Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba LGA, while another suspect, Aliyu Abubakar, was intercepted with 25,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 at Gombe roundabout.
Borno State officers intercepted 74,360 opioid pills in Maiduguri, arresting 44-year-old Audu Modu in the process.
In Bayelsa, a 63-year-old grandmother, Akuna Nelson, was arrested with 163 litres of the locally brewed substance “skuchies” in Yenagoa on July 17.
In Kogi State, four individuals traveling from Onitsha to Minna were nabbed on the Okene-Lokoja highway with 2kg of methamphetamine.
Lastly, NDLEA agents in Abia raided the hideout of a well-known drug dealer, Nduka Obi, in Aba. The raid uncovered cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, tramadol, and N736,000 in cash.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug networks across Nigeria, urging the public to continue supporting efforts to rid communities of narcotic substances.
