Lagos businessman arrested over alleged UK cocaine plot; major drug and ammo seizures reported

A Lagos-based businessman, 55-year-old Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly masterminding an attempt to smuggle cocaine to the United Kingdom. Chinedu, a clothing trader at Balogun Market, was apprehended after NDLEA officers intercepted 3.30 kilograms of cocaine hidden within food cartons at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

NDLEA's director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi, stated that initial investigations led to the arrest of three cargo agents who processed the shipment. Their interrogation pointed to Kenneth Okakpu, who allegedly delivered the consignment. Further investigation identified Onuigbo as the alleged kingpin behind the trafficking network, leading to his arrest as he reportedly prepared another shipment.

In separate operations, NDLEA seized 2.80kg of Canadian Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, from a Lagos entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo. The agency also made one of its largest pharmaceutical seizures, recovering 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol 250mg, valued at over N2.2 billion, from a shipment from India. Additionally, 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud, weighing 2,388.5kg and valued at over N7.1 billion, were found hidden inside vehicles at the Apapa Seaport.

Beyond drug enforcement, NDLEA operatives intercepted military-grade ammunition in Katsina and Kaduna states. In Katsina, Mustapha Sani was arrested with 323 rounds of ammunition. On the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Abubakar Amadu was apprehended with 73 rounds of ammunition concealed in palm oil. Both suspects and the recovered ammunition were handed over to the appropriate security agency.

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Investigations initially led to the arrest of three cargo agents, Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who processed the shipment. Their interrogation later led operatives to Kenneth Okakpu, who allegedly delivered the consignment for export. Further investigations identified Onuigbo as the alleged kingpin behind the trafficking network, leading to his arrest while he was reportedly preparing to send another cocaine shipment to the UK.