The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully arrested a 60-year-old wanted drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, who had evaded the agency for seven years. The NDLEA apprehended Okpara while he attempted to distribute large consignments of cocaine and methamphetamine to the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the suspect, who had been on the agency’s wanted list since 2019, was captured on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at his hideout on 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo, Lagos. His arrest followed the interception of one of his drug shipments earlier that day at 5:45 a.m. along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
“During the early morning operation, NDLEA officers apprehended 51-year-old courier Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, who was transporting drugs to Onitsha, Anambra State, in a white Toyota Sienna,” Babafemi revealed. “A search of the vehicle with sniffer dogs uncovered 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of methamphetamine concealed within hidden compartments.”
Subsequently, a follow-up operation at Okpara’s residence led to the seizure of an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine.
In a separate operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), NDLEA operatives, working with Aviation Security personnel, intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from a passenger identified as Omoregie Nice Uyiosa. Another airport operation led to the seizure of 17 parcels of skunk, weighing 1.70kg, hidden in Golden Morn packs bound for Pakistan. A suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, who attempted to ship the consignment, was arrested.
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The NDLEA also carried out a raid at Sarah Sam Hotels, 115 Ogudu Road, Kosofe, Lagos, where a suspect, Obayemi Oyetade, was caught distributing party drugs. The operation uncovered 1.30kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of drug-infused gummies, and 22.9g of skunk. Three suspects were taken into custody, and three vehicles were recovered during the raid.
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA operations extended to Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Borno, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, and Taraba states, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of various illicit drugs.
Babafemi emphasized that the NDLEA remains relentless in dismantling drug trafficking networks and recovering dangerous substances across Nigeria.
