The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug suspect, Uzoma Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of the agency and British authorities for more than 15 years.
Ilomuanya was apprehended at a location in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following an operation by officers of a Special Operations Unit of the agency.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, Ilomuanya had a history of drug-related offences in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Babafemi noted that Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 and convicted in the United Kingdom for drug trafficking, adding that he was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.
He said the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 for drug-related offences and granted administrative bail, but fled to Nigeria.
In November 2018, Babafemi said the suspect was arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives after two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories were discovered at his residence in Lagos.
The statement partly read, “In a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who has been on the wanted list of NDLEA and British authorities for over 15 years. Ilomuanya was apprehended at a location in Lagos on Monday, 23rd February 2026, following a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of a Special Operations Unit of the Agency
“His arrest ends a long-standing cat-and-mouse game with the law following his long history of drug-related crimes across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, which highlight a persistent involvement in the global narcotics trade.
“He was first arrested in February 2003 and convicted in the United Kingdom for drug trafficking; sentenced to nine years but was later released after two years in jail upon appeal. Not done with crime, he was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 for drug-related offences. He was granted administrative bail but jumped bail and fled to Nigeria.
“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was arrested in November 2018 in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu LGA country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close Lagos house, where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.”
Babafemi said he was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped bail and had been on the run until his recent arrest.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s efforts against drug trafficking networks.
Marwa said the arrest underscored the agency’s commitment to working with international partners to ensure Nigeria is not used as a base for illicit drug operations.
He added that the NDLEA would continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations and pursue those involved in the illegal drug trade.
He also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their role in the operation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within the country.
The latest arrest comes days after the NDLEA announced the apprehension of another suspected drug kingpin, Reginald Chidiebere, who had reportedly been in hiding for 13 years over alleged involvement in cocaine and heroin shipments.
The agency disclosed on Sunday that Chidiebere had evaded arrest for more than a decade before he was eventually tracked down and taken into custody.
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