The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, and three associates wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, while freezing ₦9.84 billion linked to the syndicate and securing interim forfeiture of multi-billion-naira assets.
The three other suspects declared wanted are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the suspects were declared wanted pursuant to an order granted by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, Imo State.
According to Babafemi, the court granted the order following an application filed by the NDLEA on July 3, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026.
He explained that the development followed the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on February 25, 2026, where NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine alongside other items.
Subsequent investigations, he said, linked the four wanted suspects to the illegal drug laboratory, after which they allegedly went into hiding.
Babafemi further disclosed that forensic investigations into the activities of the syndicate enabled the agency to trace and freeze bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of ₦9,840,873,566.66.
He added that the NDLEA also secured interim forfeiture orders covering assets allegedly acquired with proceeds of illicit drug trafficking, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
The affected vehicles bear the registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers involved in the investigation and described the operation as a major breakthrough in the agency’s strategy of dismantling drug trafficking networks by targeting their financial base.
“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.
“The discovery of this clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, and the subsequent freezing of nearly ten billion naira 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,” Babafemi quoted Marwa as saying.
Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to trace fugitives and seize assets linked to drug trafficking.
“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,” he said.
The NDLEA chairman also appealed to members of the public to assist the agency with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted suspects.
“I appeal to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects to volunteer such information to the nearest NDLEA office or through our confidential lines, as we remain committed to ridding our communities of the scourge of drug trafficking and its attendant social and economic harm,” Marwa added.
The agency said the operation reflects its sustained commitment to disrupting organised drug trafficking networks by combining intelligence gathering, forensic investigation, financial surveillance and asset recovery to weaken criminal enterprises and bring those responsible to justice.
