Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded another major breakthrough in the nationwide crackdown on drug syndicates with the dismantling of a large-scale opioids cartel in Lagos and the arrest of a suspected kingpin, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, alongside five members of his network.
The intelligence-led operation, carried out by the Agency’s Special Operations Unit between Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th November 2025, followed credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation (DTO) was preparing to distribute over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million mls) of codeine syrup ahead of the Christmas season.
A statement issued by Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA explained that the substances were stockpiled in a secret warehouse housed within a residential compound at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, Isolo, Lagos.
The operation began on November 19, when NDLEA officers trailed and arrested two members of the syndicate — Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel — at Apple Junction, Festac, while they were conveying 300 cartons of opioids in a truck. A follow-up raid on November 20 at the syndicate’s warehouse resulted in the arrest of the alleged baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and three others: Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
In total, operatives recovered 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225mg valued at N3.96 billion, and 53 million millilitres of codeine syrup worth N2.76 billion, amounting to a combined street value of N6.72 billion. The seized drugs were evacuated from the estate in eleven trucks and transported to the NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the Special Operations Unit and the Strike Force operatives for their professionalism and precision.
He described the operation as a “major blow to cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth” and a reaffirmation of the Agency’s dedication to its mandate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement,” Marwa said. “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.”
He emphasized that the NDLEA remains focused on dismantling drug kingpins, financiers, and major traffickers, noting that the arrest demonstrates that “the days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over.”
