The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking in Nigeria with the arrest of a notorious drug baron, Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu, and five others during a crackdown on an opioid cartel in Lagos. The agency seized illicit substances valued at over N6.7 billion from a secret warehouse at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri, a residential estate in Lagos.
The operation, conducted between November 19th and 20th, 2025, was based on credible intelligence about the trafficking of more than 7.2 million tramadol 225mg pills and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million milliliters) of codeine syrup. Two syndicate members were first arrested in transit at Festac, Lagos, carrying 300 cartons of opioids, leading to the follow-up raid at the warehouse which saw the capture of the drug baron and his gang members.
Altogether, 7,272,000 tramadol pills worth approximately N3.96 billion and 53 million milliliters of codeine syrup valued at over N2.76 billion were confiscated and transported in 11 trucks to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos. The seizure is considered a major disruption to the narcotics trade ahead of the Christmas season.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), NDLEA Chairman and CEO, praised the operatives for their dedication and emphasized that this arrest sends a clear message that drug kingpins are no longer untouchable. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to targeting masterminds and financiers of drug trafficking to protect Nigerian youth from addiction, crime, and insecurity. Marwa affirmed that the crackdown reflects the agency’s unwavering mandate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
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This operation is part of the NDLEA’s ongoing intensified campaign to dismantle drug syndicates across Nigeria. The agency’s focus on intelligence-led interventions aims to curtail the domestic supply and international trafficking of opioids and other illicit substances, especially during periods of high demand like the festive season.
This story highlights NDLEA’s resolve to combat the opioid crisis, which remains a serious challenge with tramadol and codeine among the most abused substances in Nigeria
