NDLEA declares ‘drug kingpin, three associates’ wanted, freezes N9.8bn linked to syndicate
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared a suspected drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, also known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and laundering drug proceeds.
The three other suspects are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley, and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
The suspects were declared wanted following an order by Iniekenimi Oweibo, judge of the federal high court in Owerri, Imo state, after an application filed by the NDLEA on July 3 in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026.
The declaration followed the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba LGA of Imo state on February 25, where NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other exhibits.
The agency said investigations subsequently linked the four suspects to the laboratory, adding that they have since gone into hiding.
NDLEA said forensic investigations also uncovered bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66, which have now been frozen.
The agency added that it secured interim forfeiture orders over assets allegedly traced to members of the syndicate, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings, and four sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
The vehicles bear registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY, and FST 208 HU.
Buba Marwa, chairman of the NDLEA, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and cripple their financial operations.
“This latest operation reaffirms our unwavering commitment to tracking down drug kingpins and their collaborators, no matter how sophisticated their network or how long they attempt to evade justice,” Marwa said.
“The discovery of this clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, and the subsequent freezing of nearly N10 billion in illicit funds, alongside the forfeiture of a filling station, multi-storey buildings and four exotic SUVs, sends an unambiguous message that the illegal drug business is no longer a safe haven for criminals seeking to launder their ill-gotten wealth through legitimate enterprises.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the agency will not relent in going after the fleeing suspects and anyone else linked to this syndicate. We will continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to trace, freeze and forfeit assets acquired through drug trafficking, just as we will not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against fugitives who think they can hide from justice.”
Marwa appealed to members of the public with credible information on the whereabouts of the suspects to report to the nearest NDLEA office or use the agency’s confidential communication channels.
