By Ibironke Ariyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug suspect who had been on the wanted list of the agency and British authorities for over 15 years.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the suspect was apprehended at a location in Lagos on Feb. 23, 2026, following a coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.
Babafemi said the suspect was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom for drug trafficking and sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but was later released after serving two years following an appeal.
He added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 for drug-related offences but was granted administrative bail. He reportedly jumped bail and returned to Nigeria.
In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories at his residence in Obinugwu, Orlu LGA of Imo State.
Babafemi said officers also recovered 77.960kg of substance suspected to be methamphetamine and production equipment at his Lagos residence.
He said the suspect was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but jumped bail and had been on the run until his recent arrest.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, described the arrest as a breakthrough in the agency’s efforts against drug trafficking.
He said the agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and international collaboration to ensure those involved in illicit drug trade are brought to justice.
Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism in tracking down the suspect.