The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered illicit drugs with a street value of over N6.7 billion in Lagos, dismantling a major opioids distribution cartel, and arresting a drug baron and five members of his syndicate.
The intelligence-led operation uncovered a secret drug warehouse hidden in a residential estate at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri area of Isolo, Lagos, where large consignments of tramadol and codeine syrup were stockpiled for distribution ahead of the Christmas season.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the anti-narcotic agency, Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement made available to ThelensNG on Wednesday.
Acting on credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation (DTO) was preparing to circulate over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (over 53 million millilitres) of codeine syrup, operatives of NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit launched a coordinated sting operation between Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th November 2025.
According to Babafemi, two members of the syndicate, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were first intercepted and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac, Lagos, on Wednesday, 19th November, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
He further revealed that intelligence from the arrests led NDLEA officers to the cartel’s warehouse the following day, where the alleged kingpin, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, was arrested alongside Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
A total of 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, valued at N3.96 billion, and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup worth N2.76 billion were recovered. The combined street value of the seized drugs amounts to N6.72 billion. The exhibits were evacuated from the estate in 11 trucks and moved to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
Commending the operatives of the Special Operations and Strike Force units for their professionalism, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the bust as a decisive blow against drug cartels targeting Nigeria’s youths.
“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement. The seizure of this colossal volume of illicit drugs, which could have fueled addiction, crime and insecurity across our nation, represents a victory for the Nigerian people and a confirmation of our unwavering commitment to the mandate given to us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Marwa said.
He warned that the Agency’s focus remains firmly on drug lords and financiers.
“The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over. We will smoke them out of their hiding places. No matter how highly placed or deeply concealed they think they are, the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with every merchant of death,” he added.
