NDLEA Declares Alleged Drug Kingpin, 3 Others Wanted, Freezes ₦9.8bn Assets -

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their suspected involvement in operating an illegal methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State.

The agency also named the other suspects as Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.

According to a statement issued by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspects were declared wanted following a court order granted by the Federal High Court in Owerri. The order was issued after the agency filed an application in connection with the case earlier in July 2026.

Investigations revealed that NDLEA operatives uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine production facility on February 25, 2026, at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. During the raid, officials recovered approximately 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine along with other incriminating materials.

Further forensic investigations linked the four suspects to the illegal operation. Authorities disclosed that the suspects have since gone into hiding.

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In a major financial crackdown, the NDLEA confirmed that bank accounts connected to the suspects, containing a total of ₦9,840,873,566.66, have been frozen.

Additionally, the agency secured interim forfeiture orders on several high-value assets believed to be proceeds of illicit drug activities. These include a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings, and four Sport Utility Vehicles.

Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the operation as a significant step in dismantling drug trafficking networks and targeting their financial backbone.

He emphasized that the agency remains committed to using financial and forensic intelligence to track down offenders and eliminate safe havens for illicit drug operations.

Marwa also urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in locating the fleeing suspects, assuring that all tips would be treated with confidentiality.