Operatives from a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 60-year-old drug kingpin Okpara Paul Chigozie in Lagos, ending seven years on the run.

Chigozie was arrested at his hideout on July 13, 2025, following the interception of large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine intended for shipment to the Southeast and other areas of the country.

The drug kingpin, who has been on the NDLEA’s wanted list since 2019, was caught after NDLEA officers arrested one of his couriers, 51-year-old Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

A subsequent search revealed 7.6 kilograms of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine hidden in compartments of the courier’s vehicle.

According to the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, a follow-up operation at Chigozie’s residence resulted in the recovery of an additional 1.8 kilograms of cocaine and 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine.

In separate incidents, NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos seized 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from passenger Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, who was bound for Italy. In another operation, 17 parcels of skunk concealed in cereal packaging were intercepted en route to Pakistan, leading to the arrest of Chioba Robert Uchenna.

Further operations led to multiple arrests across Nigeria. In Lagos, a raid at Sarah Sam Hotels led to the confiscation of various party drugs, while other arrests occurred in Kaduna, Borno, Enugu, Gombe, and Abia States, with thousands of pills of tramadol and various strains of cannabis seized.

The Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s personnel for their efforts in drug supply reduction and continued advocacy against drug abuse through public sensitisation lectures in schools across several states.