“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in its fight against drug trafficking with the arrest of three key members of an organized criminal organization. This syndicate is known for its involvement in illicit drug trafficking spanning across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe, and America.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja. According to Babafemi, the apprehended suspects had been on the agency’s wanted list for over two months.
The arrests came in the wake of the recent seizure of the largest consignment of heroin intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. The operation, which commenced on February 10 at the airport’s Cargo Terminal, led to the recovery of 51.90 kilograms of heroin concealed within metal cutting machines. Additionally, 2.2 kilograms of the illicit substance were seized at a warehouse belonging to the syndicate in the Ayobo area of Lagos.
Following the arrests, the NDLEA obtained an interim forfeiture court order on various assets, including hotels, mansions, vehicles, and funds traced to members of the syndicate. Notably, two wanted kingpins, Onyinyechi Irene and Frankline Uzochukwu, were apprehended in Lagos and Awka, Anambra, respectively. Another key member, Osita Obinna, was also arrested in Lagos.
In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives intercepted an attempt by a suspect named Festus Iheakara to export a drug consignment via the Lagos airport. Upon searching his luggage, 20 parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80 kilograms were discovered. Iheakara confessed to being hired as a courier for the drugs, with an agreement to receive payment of N1,200,000 upon successful delivery in Oman.
These arrests and seizures represent a significant blow to drug trafficking operations and underscore NDLEA’s commitment to combating the illicit drug trade in Nigeria.”