Lagos—In a decisive strike against drug trafficking networks, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major opioids cartel in Lagos, recovering illicit substances worth over N6.7 billion and arresting the kingpin, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, alongside five other members of his syndicate.
The breakthrough followed intelligence that the syndicate planned to distribute over 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles of codeine syrup from a secret warehouse located at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, ahead of the Christmas festive season.
A coordinated operation by the NDLEA Special Operations Unit between Wednesday, 19th November, and Thursday, 20th November 2025, led to multiple arrests. Two syndicate members, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were apprehended at Apple Junction, Festac, transporting 300 cartons of opioids. The follow-up raid on the warehouse yielded the arrest of Nwanagu and other key members, including Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
Altogether, the NDLEA seized 7,272,000 Tramadol pills valued at N3.96 billion and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup worth N2.76 billion, bringing the total street value of the confiscated drugs to N6.72 billion. The contraband was transported out of the estate in 11 trucks to the NDLEA Central Exhibit Complex in Lagos.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, praised the officers’ professionalism, describing the operation as a major blow to drug cartels preying on Nigerian youths.
“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement,” Marwa said. “The days when drug barons believed they were untouchable are over. This operation demonstrates that the long arm of the law will reach every merchant of death, regardless of their influence or hiding.”
He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to targeting kingpins and financiers behind the illicit drug trade, emphasizing that such operations safeguard public health, security, and the nation’s future.
