NDLEA Nabs 60-Year-Old Drug Lord After Seven Years In Hiding
After seven years on the run, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 60-year-old drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, with a large haul of cocaine and methamphetamine.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, saying the suspect was picked up from his hideout at 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo area of Lagos on 13th July, after some of his drug consignments were intercepted at Ilasamaja, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway around 5:45 am.
One of his couriers, Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, 51, was arrested in a white Toyota Sienna while heading to Onitsha, Anambra State.
A search using sniffer dogs led to the recovery of 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of meth hidden in the vehicle’s compartments.
A follow-up raid at Okpara’s residence yielded an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine.
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with Aviation Security personnel of FAAN, arrested Italy-bound passenger Omoregie Nice Uyiosa on 16th July with 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol.
He confessed he bought the drugs himself with the intention of reselling in Italy.
In a separate operation at the export shed of the same airport on 17th July, 1.7kg of skunk hidden in packs of Golden Morn cereal and bound for Pakistan was intercepted. Chioba Robert Uchenna, who brought the consignment for shipment, was arrested.
NDLEA also raided Sarah Sam Hotels, Ogudu, Lagos on 19th July, where drugs including 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of drug-laced gummies and 22.9g of skunk were recovered from a suspect, Obayemi Oyetade. Three vehicles were also impounded.
In Kaduna, three suspects — Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi and Emmanuel Madu — were arrested in Chikun LGA with 742.866kg of skunk and Colorado.
In Kano, Lawan Rabiu was caught with 36,000 pills of tramadol on Danbatta-Kazaure road on 16th July.
In Gombe, NDLEA seized 25,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 from Aliyu Abubakar on 18th July, while Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were arrested same day with 29kg of compressed skunk in Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba LGA.
Along Baga road in Maiduguri, Borno State, 74,360 pills of opioids were intercepted on 19th July. One suspect, Audu Modu, 44, was arrested.
In Bayelsa, a 63-year-old woman, Akuna Nelson, was arrested on 17th July in Yenagoa with 163 litres of skuchies.
In Kogi, four suspects were arrested on 17th July along Okene-Lokoja highway with 2kg of methamphetamine en route from Onitsha to Minna.
In Aba, Abia State, NDLEA raided the home of notorious dealer Nduka Obi on 14th July and recovered cocaine, heroin, meth, tramadol and ₦736,000 in cash.
In Enugu, Chisom Okpalaeke was caught on 16th July with 45,000 pills of tramadol along Onitsha-Enugu expressway.
In Taraba, two men — Ngwokwoka Thomas and Mohammed Audu — were arrested at Dan Anacha with 10,000 caps of tramadol and 1g of cannabis.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools across Niger, Adamawa, Enugu, Anambra and Kano.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), applauded the officers in MMIA, SOU, Lagos, Kaduna, Osun, Bayelsa, Gombe, Borno, Abia, Kogi, Enugu and Taraba for their efforts and urged all commands to maintain balance between drug supply and demand reduction.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
