By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared alleged drug kingpin Nnamuka Kelvin-Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, manufacturing illicit drugs and laundering drug proceeds.
The agency also announced the freezing of N9.84 billion linked to the suspects and secured interim forfeiture of a filling station, multi-storey buildings and four luxury Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) believed to be proceeds of drug trafficking.
The three other wanted suspects are Emmanuella Chinonso-Iroka, Nnamuka Ifeanyi-Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
In a statement issued on Friday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, says investigations traced the suspects to a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.
Operatives raided the facility on February 25, 2026, recovering 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine alongside chemicals and equipment used for the production of the illicit drug.
According to the agency, forensic and financial investigations later uncovered bank accounts linked to the syndicate with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66, which have now been frozen.
The NDLEA also obtained interim forfeiture orders covering a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four SUVs with registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU, believed to have been acquired with proceeds of drug trafficking.
The suspects were declared wanted following an order by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, after the agency filed an application in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3, 2026.
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the operation as another major breakthrough in the agency’s campaign against organised drug trafficking and illicit financial networks.
He said the discovery of the methamphetamine laboratory, the freezing of nearly N10 billion in suspected criminal proceeds and the forfeiture of high-value assets demonstrate that drug traffickers can no longer hide or launder illicit wealth through legitimate businesses.
Marwa assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to pursue the fleeing suspects and dismantle every network connected to the syndicate, stressing that the NDLEA would deploy intelligence, forensic investigations and financial tracking to identify, freeze and confiscate assets linked to drug trafficking.
He also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted suspects, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting communities from its devastating social and economic consequences.
