The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 60-year-old drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, ending his seven-year evasion of justice. Okpara, wanted since 2019, was captured on July 13, 2025, at his Lagos hideout following the interception of narcotics along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. His courier, Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, was apprehended en route to Onitsha in possession of 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of methamphetamine hidden in a Toyota Sienna. A subsequent search of Okpara’s residence yielded an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of meth.
At Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA, in collaboration with FAAN, arrested Italy-bound passenger Omoregie Nice Uyiosa with 7,790 pills of Tramadol and Rohypnol. On July 17, operatives also intercepted 1.7kg of skunk concealed in Golden Morn cereal, bound for Pakistan. Chioba Robert Uchenna was arrested in connection.
A separate raid on Sarah Sam Hotels in Kosofe uncovered a party drug hub run by suspect Obayemi Oyetade. Recovered from the hotel were 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of gummies, 22.9g of skunk, and three vehicles.
In Kaduna, NDLEA arrested Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu, seizing 742.87kg of skunk and synthetic cannabis. Additionally, in Kano, Lawan Rabiu was caught with 36,000 pills of Tramadol on July 16. These operations underscore NDLEA’s intensified crackdown on drug trafficking networks nationwide.
