A major breakthrough was recorded by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the arrest of 60-year-old Okpara Paul Chigozie, a notorious drug trafficker who had eluded capture for over seven years.
Chigozie, who had been on the agency’s wanted list since 2019, was finally apprehended on July 13, 2025, at a concealed location in Lagos.
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His arrest followed the interception of significant quantities of illicit drugs—cocaine and methamphetamine—intended for distribution across southeastern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
The breakthrough came after NDLEA agents detained one of Chigozie’s associates, 51-year-old courier Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
A search of his vehicle revealed cleverly concealed compartments containing 7.6 kilograms of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine.
According to NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the subsequent follow-up operation at Chigozie’s residence led to the discovery of another 1.8 kilograms of cocaine and 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In other developments, NDLEA personnel at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, seized 7,790 tablets of tramadol and rohypnol from a passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, who was on his way to Italy.
Separately, operatives also uncovered 17 parcels of cannabis hidden inside cereal boxes bound for Pakistan, prompting the arrest of Chioba Robert Uchenna.
Further anti-narcotics efforts spanned several states.
In Lagos, a raid on Sarah Sam Hotels resulted in the seizure of various recreational drugs.
Additional arrests and seizures were made in Kaduna, Borno, Enugu, Gombe, and Abia States, where law enforcement confiscated large amounts of tramadol and various cannabis products.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers for their relentless pursuit of traffickers and reinforced the importance of their ongoing awareness campaigns against drug abuse, especially in schools across different states.
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