BREAKING: Nigerian Agency NDLEA Recovers N6.7billion Illicit Drugs In Lagos Warehouse, Arrests Six Suspects

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an alleged drug baron Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu and five members of his syndicate, and recovering illicit drugs valued at over N6.7 billion in Lagos State. 

It was learnt that NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit stormed a secret warehouse tucked inside 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo, where the cartel allegedly stockpiled millions of tramadol pills and codeine bottles ahead of Christmas-season distribution.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, confirmed the details in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that officers acted swiftly on credible intelligence suggesting that the syndicate was preparing to push 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles of codeine syrup — a shipment worth billions in the street market and capable of saturating the illicit drug economy across the South-West.

He said the crackdown began on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, when two members of the cartel — Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel — were intercepted at Apple Junction in Festac while allegedly transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.

"A follow-up offensive on Thursday, November 20, led NDLEA operatives to the main warehouse in Bucknor, where they arrested the alleged kingpin, Nwanagu, alongside other suspects: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.

"In total, NDLEA recovered: 7,272,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg (street value: N3.96 billion); 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup (street value: N2.76 billion). The drugs—valued at N6,722,550,000—were evacuated from the estate in 11 trucks and transferred to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos," statement stated. 

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), described the bust as a decisive victory against cartels “preying on Nigeria’s youth.” In a strongly worded statement, Marwa said the operation sent a clear message to drug syndicates hiding behind residential estates and networks of delivery trucks.

“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement,” he said. “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 Tinubu.”

Marwa emphasised that the agency remains focused on dismantling the financial and operational backbone of Nigeria’s drug-trafficking ecosystem.

“The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over,” he warned. “The long arm of the law will eventually catch up with every merchant of death, no matter how high or deeply concealed they believe they are.”

The operation involved NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit and the Strike Force Unit, who Marwa praised for their professionalism and relentless pursuit of criminal networks.