By Nkechi Eze
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has scored a major breakthrough in its intensified nationwide crackdown on drug syndicates with the dismantling of a powerful opioids cartel operating from a secret warehouse in a residential estate in Lagos. The operation led to the arrest of a notorious drug baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and five members of his criminal network, while illicit substances valued at over N6.7 billion were seized.
Director of Media and Advocacy for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in an official signed statement that the operation followed credible intelligence that the syndicate was preparing to distribute over 7.2 million pills of Tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million millilitres) of codeine syrup ahead of the Christmas season. The drugs were warehoused in a residential building at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo, Lagos.
Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit launched a meticulously coordinated raid between Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 November 2025. Two members of the drug trafficking organisation (DTO), Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were first intercepted and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac, while transporting 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.
A follow-up operation at the syndicate’s warehouse in Isolo the next day resulted in the arrest of the kingpin, Onyekachi Nwanagu, alongside other members of his gang:
Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
In total, NDLEA operatives recovered 7,272,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg valued at N3.96 billion, and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup valued at N2.76 billion, bringing the combined street value of the seized drugs to N6,722,550,000. The massive haul was evacuated from the estate using eleven trucks and transferred to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
Reacting to the breakthrough, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers of the Special Operations Unit and Strike Force Unit for their courage, precision and professionalism. He described the seizure as a devastating blow to drug cartels feeding addiction, insecurity and crime across the country.
“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement,” Marwa declared. “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 added that the agency’s focus remains firmly on dismantling the financial and operational backbone 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 warned.
