In a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s long-running war against narcotics, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 60-year-old fugitive and suspected drug kingpin, Okpara Chigozie, at a hidden residence in Lagos after evading authorities for over seven years.
Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives stormed the suspect’s hideout in the early hours of Thursday, uncovering what officials described as a mini narcotics lab. A significant quantity of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and assorted precursor chemicals were seized during the operation. Sophisticated packaging equipment and international trafficking paraphernalia were also recovered at the scene.
Chigozie, who had been on the NDLEA’s most-wanted list since 2018, is believed to be the mastermind behind multiple transnational drug trafficking syndicates, with ties extending across West Africa, Europe, and South America. He allegedly used a complex web of couriers, front companies, and offshore accounts to coordinate shipments of illicit substances out of Nigeria.
“This arrest is a turning point,” said NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd). “Okpara Chigozie’s operations have caused irreparable damage to countless families and communities. His capture is not just a victory for the NDLEA but a strong message to others in the drug trade—there is no hiding place.”
Initial investigations revealed that Chigozie operated under multiple aliases and used fake passports to avoid detection. He reportedly moved frequently between luxury apartments in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Cotonou, eluding several coordinated attempts to apprehend him over the years.
He is currently in NDLEA custody and is expected to face multiple charges ranging from possession and trafficking of illegal substances to conspiracy and money laundering.