By Hassanat Adebowale
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 59-year-old alleged drug baron in Ojo, Lagos, after 17 years of evading capture. The suspect, wanted for orchestrating the shipment of illicit drugs worth billions of naira worldwide, was apprehended with N1.4 billion worth of seized drugs.
NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, made the announcement during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja. Marwa highlighted that the suspect’s arrest followed a long-standing investigation by the agency’s ‘Special Operations Unit,’ which had been tracking the suspect based on an Interpol red notice and information from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea.
Marwa described the suspect as a significant player in international drug trafficking. “I am pleased to announce this significant breakthrough in our efforts to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates operating within the country. As we said four years ago when we began the reform of the NDLEA, our prime targets are drug barons and other important figures who organize drug trafficking rings,” Marwa stated.
The NDLEA boss detailed the suspect’s history, revealing that he had recruited young Nigerians as couriers to smuggle illicit substances into South Korea. “Our records reveal that many Nigerians apprehended outside the country for drug-related offenses were linked to him. We have established that he laundered drug proceeds through the importation of electronics and other goods,” Marwa added.
Following the suspect’s arrest, a search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple Nigerian international passports, many with Korean visas, and some illicit substances stored at the back of his house. Marwa emphasized that the suspect was not just a domestic drug baron but an international trafficker operating from both Nigeria and abroad.
The suspect had previously served a one-year prison sentence in South Korea in 2007 and was deported to Nigeria in 2008. Despite this, he continued his illicit trade, remaining actively involved in drug trafficking operations to the Far East.
“Presently, he is wanted in the Republic of Korea for multiple drug trafficking offenses in collaboration with his accomplices. An INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his arrest and extradition for offenses committed between 2023 and 2024,” Marwa explained. The suspect is accused of leading a drug trafficking organization responsible for smuggling narcotics into South Korea.
Marwa disclosed that investigations revealed the suspect orchestrated operations remotely, giving instructions to drug mules and suppliers across various African countries. In one instance, he dispatched over 6kg of skunk concealed in dried chilies and jujube to a Korean contact.
The NDLEA Chairman assured Nigerians of the agency’s commitment to preventing Nigeria from becoming a base for international drug trafficking. “We will continue our relentless fight against illicit drug networks and their financiers, in line with our mandate to safeguard public health and national security,” Marwa said.
GI’s Legal Corner
Drug trafficking is a serious crime under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. This law gives the NDLEA the power to arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenders, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to life sentences, depending on the severity of the crime.
Extradition for drug-related offenses is covered by the Extradition Act, which allows Nigeria to hand over suspects to foreign governments if there’s a valid treaty. In this case, South Korea’s Interpol notice and existing bilateral agreements provide a strong legal basis for extradition.
The arrest shows the growing cooperation between Nigerian law enforcement and international bodies in tackling cross-border drug crimes. It highlights Nigeria’s commitment to honoring international obligations and ensuring that criminals exploiting the country’s borders face justice, whether locally or abroad.
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