Lagos Drug Bust: NDLEA seizes N6.7bn, arrests suspects
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a major drug warehouse in Lagos and arrested an alleged drug kingpin, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, along with five members of his syndicate. The raid led to the recovery of illicit drugs valued at over N6.7 billion.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s director of media and advocacy, operatives acted on credible intelligence and stormed a concealed warehouse at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo. The location was allegedly used to stockpile millions of tramadol pills and codeine syrup in preparation for distribution during the Christmas period.
Babafemi said the operation began on November 19, 2025, when two members of the group, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were intercepted at Apple Junction, Festac, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
A follow-up raid on November 20 led officers to the main warehouse in Bucknor, where Nwanagu and three other suspects — Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip — were arrested.
In total, NDLEA seized:
- 7,272,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg (street value: N3.96bn)
- 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup (street value: N2.76bn)
The entire stash, valued at N6.72bn, was evacuated using 11 trucks and moved to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
NDLEA chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), hailed the bust as a major victory against criminal networks “preying on Nigeria’s youth.” He said the operation sends a strong message to drug cartels hiding within residential areas and using delivery trucks to move illicit substances.
Marwa stressed that the agency remains committed to dismantling the operational and financial structures of drug trafficking in Nigeria. “The days when drug barons believed they were untouchable are over,” he warned.
He praised NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit and Strike Force Unit for their professionalism and dedication throughout the operation.
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