NDLEA Declares Drug Kingpin, 3 Associates Wanted, Freezes N9.8bn, Seizes Multi-Billion-Naira Assets
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, also known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their involvement in the establishment of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, illicit drug production and money laundering.
The Agency also announced that it had frozen bank accounts linked to the suspects containing a combined balance of N9.84 billion, while securing interim forfeiture orders on multi-billion-naira assets, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
The three other suspects declared wanted are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
Their declaration followed an order granted by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, Imo State, after an application filed by the NDLEA in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the suspects were linked to a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered by NDLEA operatives at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026, where 18.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and other exhibits were recovered.
Babafemi explained that investigations subsequently identified the four suspects as members of the syndicate, but they had since gone into hiding to evade arrest.
He disclosed that forensic investigations by the Agency led to the freezing of bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66.
The NDLEA spokesperson described the interim forfeiture orders secured by the agency, covering assets belonging to members of the syndicate as a major blow to the organised drug trafficking network.
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), commended the officers and operatives involved in the operation, describing it as a clear demonstration of the Agency’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt the financial architecture that sustains them.
“This latest operation reaffirms our unwavering commitment to tracking down drug kingpins and their collaborators, no matter how sophisticated their network or how long they attempt to evade justice. The discovery of this clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, and the subsequent freezing of nearly ten billion naira in illicit funds, alongside the forfeiture of a filling station, multi-storey buildings and four exotic SUVs, sends an unambiguous message that the illegal drug business is no longer a safe haven for criminals seeking to launder their ill-gotten wealth through legitimate enterprises.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Agency will not relent in going after the fleeing suspects and anyone else linked to this syndicate. We will continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to trace, freeze and forfeit assets acquired through drug trafficking, just as we will not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against fugitives who think they can hide from justice.
“I appeal to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects to volunteer such information to the nearest NDLEA office or through our confidential lines, as we remain committed to ridding our communities of the scourge of drug trafficking and its attendant social and economic harm,” Marwa stated.
