LAGOS, NIGERIA – Nigerian anti-narcotics agents have arrested a suspected drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, after a seven-year manhunt, seizing significant quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. The 60-year-old was apprehended as he allegedly attempted to ship large consignments of illicit drugs to various parts of the country.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced on Sunday, July 20, 2025, that Mr. Okpara, who had been on their wanted list since 2019, was finally caught at his hideout in Isheri, Ojo area of Lagos State on Sunday, July 13. His arrest followed an early morning operation the same day, where NDLEA officers intercepted one of his couriers, 51-year-old Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway. Sniffer dogs located 7.6 kilograms of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine hidden within a white Toyota Sienna vehicle bound for Onitsha. A subsequent raid on Mr. Okpara’s residence in Isheri uncovered an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine.
The NDLEA also reported several other significant drug interdictions across Nigeria:
Lagos Airport: On Wednesday, July 16, operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) seized 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa. The following day, Thursday, July 17, 1.70kg of skunk, concealed in Golden Morn cereal packs, was intercepted at the airport’s export shed, destined for Pakistan. A suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, was arrested in connection with this seizure.
Lagos Raid: On Saturday, July 19, NDLEA operatives raided Sarah Sam Hotels in Kosofe, Lagos, a suspected distribution point for party drugs. They recovered 1.30kg of Chocolate Cannabis, 900grams of gummies, and 22.9grams of skunk from a suspect, Obayemi Oyetade, described as the network’s alleged arrowhead.
Kaduna: Three suspects – Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu – were arrested on Saturday, July 19, in Narayi High Cost area of Chikun LGA, with 742.866 kilograms of skunk and “Colorado,” a synthetic cannabis strain.
Kano: Lawan Rabiu was arrested with 36,000 pills of tramadol along the Danbatta-Kazaure road on Wednesday, July 16.
Gombe: On Friday, July 18, 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from Aliyu Abubakar at Gombe roundabout. Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were arrested the same day with 49 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 29kg in Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba LGA.
Borno: Audu Modu, 44, was arrested on Saturday, July 19, along Baga road, Maiduguri, after officers intercepted 74,360 pills of opioids in a Mercedes Benz C180.
Bayelsa: Akuna Nelson, 63, was arrested on Thursday, July 17, in Osiri area of Yenagoa, in connection with the seizure of 163 litres of “skuchies.”
Kogi: Four suspects – Ikechukw Abugu, 42; Sunday Ani, 18; Chukwu Christian, 46; and Emmanuel Olisakwe, 55 – were arrested on Thursday, July 17, along the Okene-Lokoja highway with 2kg of methamphetamine in their vehicle, en route from Onitsha to Minna.
Abia: On Monday, July 14, NDLEA officers raided the base of suspected drug dealer Nduka Obi, 39, in Aba, recovering various quantities of tramadol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ₦736,000 (approximately $490 USD) in cash.
Enugu: Chisom Okpalaeke, 30, was arrested on Wednesday, July 16, along the Onitsha-Enugu expressway with 45,000 pills of tramadol.
Taraba: Ngwokwoka Thomas, 44, and Mohammed Audu, 44, were apprehended on Wednesday, July 16, with 10,000 caps of tramadol and a gram of cannabis in Dan Anacha, Gassol LGA.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers for the arrests and seizures, praising their efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand reduction. The agency also highlighted its ongoing “War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)” social advocacy activities across the country.
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