In a predominant blow to global drug trafficking networks, the National Drug Law Enforcement Company has arrested a 58-year-worn fugitive drug lord Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya who has been on the wanted checklist of NDLEA and British authorities for over 15 years.
Politics Nigeria gathered that Ilomuanya used to be apprehended at a local in Lagos on Monday, Twenty third February 2026, following a excessive-stakes effectively-coordinated operation by officers of a Particular Operations Unit of the Company.
His arrest ends a protracted-standing cat-and-mouse recreation with the law following his long historical past of drug linked crimes across Nigeria and the UK, which spotlight a power involvement in world narcotics change.
He used to be first arrested in February 2003 and convicted in the UK for drug trafficking; sentenced to 9 years but used to be later launched after two years in penal complex upon appeal. No longer accomplished with crime, he used to be again arrested in the UK in July 2011 for drug-linked offences. He used to be granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.
Conventional of a recidivist, Ilomuanya used to be in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu LGA nation home in Imo enlighten and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Shut Lagos home the place officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and broad manufacturing tools. He used to be attributable to this truth charged earlier than a Federal Excessive Court docket, Lagos after which he jumped court bail and has been on the scurry since then.
Reacting to the a hit operation leading to Ilomuanya’s arrest, the Chairman/Chief Govt Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the increase as a predominant step forward in the Company’s relentless battle in opposition to drug cartels.
In response to him, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those that think they’ll veil at the again of borders to gallop justice. Whether or now no longer you soar bail in London or space up clandestine labs on your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will at final meet up with those that resolve to undermine the health, security, and procedure forward for our nation.
“We dwell committed to our global collaborations to get certain Nigeria is now no longer broken-down as a sanctuary for world drug lords. The NDLEA below our learn about will continue to present a boost to intelligence-led operations, deepen global cooperation, and get certain those taking into account the illicit drug change are dropped at justice.”
He recommended the officers of the Particular Operations Unit for his or her professionalism, resilience, and diligence in monitoring down the fugitive, stressing that the Company remains unwavering in its dedication to dismantling drug trafficking networks running within Nigeria.
