By Atoyebi Nike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a major opioid cartel in Lagos, arresting the kingpin Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu and five members of his gang. The operation, intelligence-led, resulted in the seizure of illicit substances valued at over N6.7 billion.
The crackdown followed credible intelligence that the cartel was preparing to distribute more than 7.2 million tramadol 225mg pills and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup ahead of the Christmas season. Officers from the Special Operations Unit carried out coordinated arrests between November 13 and 20, 2025, tracking suspects and intercepting drug shipments across Lagos.
Two members of the syndicate, Egbo Innocent Udalor and Chukwe Emmanuel, were caught on November 19 at Festac while transporting 300 cartons of opioids. The following day, authorities raided the gang’s warehouse at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, apprehending Nwanagu along with Nwoye Sunday Ali, Nnacho Ogochukwu, and Oraghalia Chukwuebuka Philip.
The total seizure included 7,272,000 tramadol pills valued at N3.96 billion and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup worth N2.76 billion, all moved to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos using 11 trucks.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) praised the professionalism of officers involved, calling the breakthrough a significant blow to drug cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth. He said the operation underscores the agency’s focus on kingpins and financiers of the illicit trade and sends a clear warning that no drug baron is untouchable.
Marwa added that the seizure prevents a massive volume of dangerous substances from fueling addiction, crime, and insecurity across the country, affirming NDLEA’s commitment to its mandate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
