The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the successful arrest of a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, ending a cross-continental manhunt that spanned over fifteen years.
Ilomuanya, who had been a high-priority target for both Nigerian and British law enforcement, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, 23 February 2026. The arrest followed a sophisticated, intelligence-led operation conducted by a Special Operations Unit of the Agency.
The Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Mr Femi Babafemi, detailed Ilomuanya’s extensive criminal history, describing him as a persistent offender who utilised international borders to evade justice.
His criminal trajectory began in the United Kingdom in February 2003, where he was convicted of drug trafficking and handed a nine-year prison sentence. Although he was released after two years following a successful appeal, he returned to illicit activities and was arrested again by British authorities in July 2011. On that occasion, he was granted administrative bail, which he promptly jumped to flee back to Nigeria.
By November 2018, his operations had expanded significantly within Nigeria. NDLEA operatives discovered two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories linked to him: one at his country home in Obinugwu, Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos. During these raids, officers recovered a staggering 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine alongside industrial-grade production equipment. Despite being charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, Ilomuanya once again jumped court bail, remaining a fugitive until his capture this month.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), hailed the arrest as a major breakthrough in the dismantling of international narcotics networks.
“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice,” General Marwa stated. “Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with you.”
The NDLEA boss emphasised that the agency remains committed to international collaboration, ensuring that Nigeria does not become a “sanctuary” for global drug lords. He commended the Special Operations Unit for their resilience and professionalism, reiterating that the agency will continue to strengthen its intelligence-led approach to safeguard the nation’s health and security.
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