NDLEA arrests wanted businessman, ex-convict in major drug busts across Nigeria

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted businessman and a previously convicted drug trafficker in a series of coordinated operations that led to major drug seizures across the country.

Among those arrested is Ignatius Egbochie, a 47-year-old businessman also known as Brown, who had been on the agency’s wanted list over his alleged role in the importation of cannabis through the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Egbochie was linked to the seizure of 56 parcels of “Loud” cannabis, a potent strain weighing 26 kilograms, intercepted during a joint container examination involving NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on December 10.

According to Babafemi, a follow-up intelligence-led operation led to Egbochie’s arrest in Apapa on December 19.

In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a notorious drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, who was previously convicted for methamphetamine trafficking, in connection with an attempt to export cocaine concealed in liquid starch sachets to the United Kingdom.

Babafemi said the cocaine, weighing 1.50 kilograms and packaged in 75 factory-sealed sachets, was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

Three cargo handlers — Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane — were initially arrested on December 20, before investigations uncovered Basil as the mastermind behind the shipment.
He was later arrested on December 21 at a relaxation centre in Ikeja, where he was reportedly spending time with his girlfriend.

NDLEA records showed that Basil was convicted in 2023 for trafficking 30.10 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in custard containers bound for London.

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine, which he paid before returning to the illicit drug trade.
Beyond Lagos, the agency recorded multiple seizures nationwide. In Ara Forest, Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives destroyed cannabis warehouses and recovered 638 kilograms of skunk during a raid.

In Edo State, officers intercepted three Toyota Camry vehicles along the Igara–Auchi Road, recovering 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 883.1 kilograms.

Operations in Cross River State led to the arrest of three suspects — Freedom Jonah Akpama, David Itam David and Nelson Arikpo Osam — with a combined seizure of over 900 kilograms of skunk.
Additional arrests were made in Lagos, Taraba, Gombe and the Federal Capital Territory, where NDLEA operatives seized large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, pentazocine injections and other controlled substances.

In Gombe State, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested along the Gombe–Biu highway while transporting 300 ampoules of pentazocine, 27,900 tramadol pills and other opioids.

Meanwhile, the agency said its officers sustained War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, religious centres and communities nationwide during the period.

Commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised their vigilance and professionalism, urging them to maintain heightened alertness throughout the festive season and beyond.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks and reducing substance abuse across Nigeria.