Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two suspected drug kingpins in Lagos, uncovering consignments of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine intended for export to Europe and beyond.

The suspects, identified as 64-year-old Victor Nwosa and 49-year-old Felix Chika Obiegbu, were apprehended after weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance on their respective criminal networks.

According to NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU), Nwosa, who presents himself publicly as a textile merchant, was arrested on Wednesday, September 17, at his residence on Femi Kila Street, Okota. Officers recovered 4.33 kilograms of heroin and 448 grams of cocaine during the search. Obiegbu, known in business circles for wine distribution, was apprehended on Thursday, September 11, at his Aguda Surulere home, where 2.902 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), stated that the arrests reflected the agency’s ongoing commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks.
“The success of the various operations across the country underscores our commitment to safeguarding Nigeria from illicit substances that threaten public health and national security,” he said. “Every gram of these dangerous drugs we seize and remove from our streets reinforces our determination to protect our youths, disrupt criminal networks, and strengthen national security.”

The arrests in Lagos are part of a wider set of operations conducted by NDLEA across multiple states. In Borno, officers intercepted Baba Kaka Ibrahim, 26, on September 26 at Njimtilo village, recovering 39,380 tramadol and Exol-5 pills hidden in a Mercedes Benz GLK engine compartment. In Yobe, Halima Adamu was arrested on September 27 with 1.4 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis variant, concealed in a travelling bag, while a follow-up operation led to the arrest of another suspect, Habiba Muhammad.

In Kaduna, Adedamola Olayeni, 56, was apprehended on September 22 at the Abuja-Kaduna tollgate with 262.6 kilograms of skunk concealed in his vehicle. Two days later, Zubairu Haruna, 30, was found with 506 grams of methamphetamine at Gwantu-Fadan Karshi checkpoint, and a subsequent arrest in Gombe captured Babangida Mohammed, 25, the intended recipient.

NDLEA also reported multiple seizures of tramadol and cannabis across Lagos, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Edo, and Kano states. In Edo, the agency destroyed 24,146 kilograms of skunk across plantations in Uromi and Ogu forests, evacuating processed portions of the drug during the operation.

Brig. Gen. Marwa commended NDLEA officers nationwide for their “dexterity and dedication” in conducting arrests and seizures, noting that the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization efforts continue in schools, worship centres, and communities.
“The combined efforts of our commands and formations across the country reflect a balanced approach to drug control,” Marwa said. “We remain committed to both enforcement and awareness, ensuring that communities understand the risks associated with drug abuse while disrupting the networks that supply these substances.”

NDLEA’s operations over the past two weeks have resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen suspects and the seizure or destruction of tens of thousands of kilograms of illegal substances, highlighting ongoing enforcement against organized drug trafficking in Nigeria.