- NDLEA Apprehends 58 Year Old Alleged Drug Lord in Major Operation
- Femi Babafemi said the suspect has a long history of drug related offences spanning Nigeria and the UK
- Officers reportedly recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine along with equipment used for drug production
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 58 year old fugitive, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been wanted by both Nigerian authorities and the United Kingdom for more than 15 years.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, during an operation carried out by officers of the agency’s Special Operations Unit.
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According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the suspect has a long history of drug related offences spanning Nigeria and the UK.
He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom, convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to nine years in prison. However, he was released after serving two years following an appeal.
Babafemi stated that Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 for drug related offences and granted administrative bail, but fled to Nigeria while on bail.
In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after discovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories linked to him. One was located at his residence in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, while another was found at a property in Lagos.
During that operation, officers reportedly recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine along with equipment used for drug production.
He was later charged before the Federal High Court in Lagos but allegedly absconded after being granted bail, remaining at large until his recent arrest.
In a statement, the agency described the operation as a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, saying the arrest ended a prolonged effort to evade law enforcement.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking. He said the agency remains committed to intelligence led operations and international cooperation to prevent Nigeria from being used as a base for illicit drug activities.
Marwa commended the Special Operations Unit for executing the operation and reaffirmed the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.
The arrest follows a series of recent operations by the NDLEA targeting high profile suspects involved in narcotics trafficking.
