The NDLEA has busted a major opioids cartel in Lagos, arresting alleged kingpin Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu alongside five members of his criminal network.
Illicit drugs worth over N6.7 billion have been uncovered in a concealed warehouse located within a residential estate.
According to the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the raid was carried out on Wednesday after credible intelligence revealed that the syndicate was preparing to circulate more than 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million millilitres) of codeine syrup ahead of the Christmas period.
Operatives of the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit launched coordinated raids between November 19 and 20, 2025, targeting a major drug trafficking network. During the operation, two members of the syndicate — Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel — were arrested at Apple Junction, Festac, after officers intercepted a truck loaded with 300 cartons of opioids.
A follow-up raid on a warehouse at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, in the Isolo area of Lagos, led to the arrest of suspected cartel leader Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu and three members of his network: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
During the operation, NDLEA operatives recovered 7,272,000 pills of tramadol valued at N3.96 billion and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup estimated at N2.76 billion. The substances were loaded into 11 trucks and moved to the agency’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) described the breakthrough as a major setback for drug cartels targeting Nigerian youths, commending the officers involved. He said the seizure reaffirms the agency’s determination to pursue drug kingpins and financiers.
Marwa emphasized that the arrests reflect the agency’s dedication to President Bola Tinubu’s directive to strengthen the fight against illicit drugs. He stated that the NDLEA remains committed to ensuring that drug traffickers face justice.
“This is more than just an arrest; it sends a clear and unequivocal message. The seizure of this massive quantity of illicit drugs, which could have fueled addiction, crime, and insecurity nationwide, marks a significant victory for Nigerians and underscores our steadfast commitment to the mandate entrusted to us by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Marwa said.