NDLEA Nabs Notorious Drug Baron After 7-Year Manhunt, Busts Nationwide Narcotics Network

In a major breakthrough, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has captured 60-year-old drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, ending his seven-year evasion of justice.

The suspect, wanted since 2019, was arrested on July 13, 2025, at his hideout in Isheri, Lagos, while attempting to traffic large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to Southeast zone.

NDLEA operatives first nabbed Okpara’s courier, 51-year-old Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, with 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of methamphetamine concealed in a Toyota Sienna en route to Onitsha

A follow-up operation recovered additional 1.8kg cocaine and 1.3kg methamphetamine from Okpara’s Lagos residence.

At MMIA Lagos, authorities intercepted 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from passenger Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, 1.7kg skunk hidden in Golden Morn packs bound for Pakistan (suspect Chioba Robert Uchenna arrested).

NDLEA stormed Sarah Sam Hotels in Kosofe, arresting Obayemi Oyetade with 1.3kg chocolate cannabis, 900g cannabis gummies, 22.9g skunk, three vehicles recovered.

The agency conducted simultaneous operations across Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Borno, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Enugu and Taraba, resulting in multiple arrests and drug seizures.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated that, “This operation dismantles a major narcotics distribution network. We remain committed to rooting out drug cartels across Nigeria.”

The arrest marks a significant victory in Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking, with the NDLEA demonstrating enhanced operational capabilities in tracking down long-time fugitives.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts