Three key leaders of a criminal network involved in drug trafficking across South Africa, Europe, America, and other regions have been apprehended in Nigeria.

The apprehended individuals, identified as Onyinyechi Irene Igbokwuputa, Frankline Uzochukwu, and Osita Emmanuel Obinna, were nabbed following significant breakthroughs in multiple NDLEA operations.

In a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, on Sunday, it was revealed that the agency had seized a substantial 51.90 kilograms of heroin in an operation initiated on February 10, 2024. The operation targeted a shipment at the SAHCO Import Shed of the cargo terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The heroin was ingeniously concealed within 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines. Agents recovered 45 blocks of heroin, weighing 49.70kg, hidden within these machines and seized an additional 2.2kg from a warehouse operated by the syndicate in the Ayobo area of Lagos.

The agency's persistent efforts led to significant disruptions in the cartel's operations, including the interim forfeiture of various properties linked to the drug lords, such as hotels, mansions, vehicles, and funds. After a manhunt, the two kingpins, Igbokwuputa and Uzochukwu, were arrested on April 19 in Lagos and Awka, Anambra state, respectively. On the same day, another member, Osita Emmanuel Obinna, was captured in Lagos.

In a related incident on April 18, NDLEA officers at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport thwarted an attempt by Iheakara Ifeanyichukwu Festus to export 9.80kg of cannabis to Muscat, Oman, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. Festus, who resides in Oman and returned to Nigeria on April 1, confessed to being hired to courier the drugs, with the promise of a N1,200,000 reward upon successful delivery in Oman.

Moreover, the agency's operations extended beyond Lagos. In Adamawa state, on April 20, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Peugeot car driven by Dahiru Mohammed en route to Mubi from Girei, seizing 1,250,000 pills of opioids weighing 450kg. Earlier, agents had seized a J5 bus carrying hidden consignments of Codeine Syrup and Tramadol concealed among motor spare parts. The recipient, Jairus Nwanchor, was arrested at Jambutu motor park following these discoveries.

On the same day, in Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, NDLEA arrested three suspects—Beriakuma Vivian Chinrdu, 40; Okpor Isaac, 68; and Daniel Onyeachom, 42—connected to the seizure of 69 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 36kg hidden in a false compartment of a Toyota Picnic car. Additionally, in Imo state, NDLEA operatives arrested Kingsley Omeje, 41, at Amajeke, Owerri, as he was taking delivery of 49 bottles of codeine syrup.

In another operation in Ondo state, the agency raided the Oloro camp in Ogbese, Akure North LGA, arresting Linus Odogwu, 50, and destroying 25,000 kilograms of cannabis cultivated on 10 hectares of farmland. They also recovered 89.5kg of the substance. Three more suspects—David Obungete Ekepenyoung, 22; Oluwaseun Folorunso, 23; and Rabiu Musa, 32—were arrested in connection with different drug seizures totaling 77kg across the state.

These operations underscore the NDLEA's ongoing commitment to dismantling organized drug trafficking networks within and beyond Nigeria, highlighting the agency's strategic efforts in combating drug trafficking and its associated evils.