ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled an opioid cartel in Lagos, recovering illicit substances valued at over N6.7 billion from a secret warehouse in a residential estate.
According to a statement by NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the operation led to the arrest of suspected kingpin Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu and five members of his gang.
“Following credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation (DTO) was about distributing over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million mls) of codeine syrup, warehoused in a residential compound located at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri area of Isolo, Lagos state,” Babafemi said.
Ahead of the Christmas festive season, officers of a Special Operations Unit executed a coordinated raid between Wednesday, November 19, and Thursday, November 20, 2025, to apprehend the syndicate and dismantle its network.
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During the operation, two members of the gang Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel were trailed and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids.
A follow-up raid on the Sunny Billa East Street warehouse on November 20 led to the arrest of Nwanagu and other members, including Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
In total, NDLEA seized 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225mg valued at N3.96 billion and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup valued at over N2.76 billion.
The drugs were removed in eleven trucks to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd), commended the officers’ professionalism and dedication, describing the breakthrough as a major blow to cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.
“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement. 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 Ahmed Tinubu,” Marwa stated.
He emphasised that the agency remains focused on targeting the kingpins and financiers of the illicit drug trade.
“The days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over. The arrest of this drug baron and his criminal cohorts, following an intensive intelligence operation, serves as a stark reminder that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with every merchant of death, no matter how high or deeply concealed they think they are,” he added.