NDLEA declares four suspects wanted over an alleged meth lab in Imo, freezes N9.84bn in suspected drug funds, and secures forfeiture of assets.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide campaign against organised drug trafficking by declaring four suspected members of an alleged methamphetamine syndicate wanted.
The agency says the suspects are linked to the operation of a secret drug manufacturing laboratory uncovered earlier this year in Imo State, as well as an extensive money laundering network believed to have handled billions of naira generated from illegal narcotics activities.
The wanted persons were identified as Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu; Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka; Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley; and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
According to the NDLEA, all four have gone into hiding following investigations connecting them to the illegal drug operation.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed that the declaration followed a court order obtained from the Federal High Court in Owerri, Imo State.
He explained that Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo approved the request after the NDLEA filed an application before the court seeking legal authorisation to declare the suspects wanted.
According to the agency, the case originated from a major anti-drug operation carried out on February 25, 2026, when NDLEA operatives raided a clandestine methamphetamine production facility located at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.
During the operation, officers reportedly recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine alongside chemicals, equipment, and other materials believed to have been used in the illegal production of the highly addictive synthetic drug.
The agency stated that the laboratory was one of several targeted as part of its efforts to dismantle local drug manufacturing operations that pose significant threats to public health and national security.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as “meth,” is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous illicit substances due to its highly addictive nature and devastating physical and psychological effects on users.
Following the raid, investigators reportedly launched an extensive forensic and financial investigation aimed at identifying everyone connected to the operation.
Babafemi said intelligence gathered during the investigation eventually linked the four wanted suspects to the laboratory and its alleged activities.
However, before they could be arrested, the individuals allegedly disappeared and have remained out of the reach of law enforcement agencies.
Beyond tracing those behind the illegal laboratory, the NDLEA also expanded its investigation to the financial aspect of the suspected criminal enterprise.
The agency said forensic financial analysis uncovered several bank accounts allegedly linked to members of the syndicate.
Acting on the findings, the NDLEA secured legal approval to freeze the accounts, which reportedly hold a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66.
The agency described the frozen funds as suspected proceeds of drug trafficking, noting that targeting the financial resources of criminal organisations is a key component of its enforcement strategy.
Officials believe dismantling the economic foundations of drug syndicates is just as important as arresting those directly involved in manufacturing and distributing illegal substances.
In addition to freezing the bank accounts, the NDLEA also obtained interim forfeiture orders covering several valuable assets allegedly acquired with illicit proceeds.
These include a filling station, multiple multi-storey residential buildings, and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) bearing registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY, and FST 208 HU.
The agency said the court-approved forfeiture orders were obtained to prevent the assets from being transferred, concealed, or disposed of while investigations and legal proceedings continue.
According to officials, such measures are designed to ensure that proceeds of crime do not remain available to fund future criminal activities.
Reacting to the latest development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers and investigators involved in the operation.
He described the outcome as another significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat organised drug trafficking across Nigeria.
Marwa said the successful uncovering of the methamphetamine laboratory, coupled with the freezing of nearly N10 billion in suspected illicit funds and the seizure of high-value assets, demonstrates that the agency is determined to pursue not only drug traffickers but also the financial networks supporting their operations.
He stressed that criminal organisations should no longer assume they can hide illegal wealth by investing in legitimate businesses or expensive properties.
According to him, the NDLEA will continue deploying intelligence, forensic investigations, and financial tracking techniques to identify, freeze, and confiscate assets suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking.
The NDLEA chairman also assured Nigerians that efforts to locate and arrest the fleeing suspects would continue until they are brought before the courts.
He maintained that no member of the alleged syndicate would be beyond the reach of the law, regardless of how sophisticated their operations or attempts to evade justice may be.
Marwa further appealed to members of the public to support the agency by volunteering credible information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted suspects.
He encouraged anyone with useful intelligence to report to the nearest NDLEA office or use the agency’s confidential communication channels, assuring that such information would be treated with the necessary discretion.
The latest development reflects the NDLEA’s continued emphasis on combining traditional law enforcement with financial investigations to weaken organised drug trafficking networks.
By targeting both suspects and the assets allegedly generated through illicit activities, the agency says it hopes to make the illegal drug trade less profitable while strengthening Nigeria’s broader fight against narcotics-related crime.
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