The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared a suspected drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna, popularly known as Odogwu, and three of his associates wanted over their alleged involvement in the establishment of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, production of illicit drugs and laundering of proceeds from drug trafficking.
The agency also announced the freezing of bank accounts containing a combined sum of N9.84 billion linked to the syndicate, while securing interim forfeiture orders on several multi-billion-naira assets, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
The other suspects declared wanted are Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka; Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley; and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
According to the NDLEA, the order declaring the suspects wanted was granted by Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, Imo State, following an application filed by the agency in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026.
The development followed the discovery of a methamphetamine-producing laboratory at Isiozi, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, on February 25, 2026. NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and other materials from the facility.
Subsequent investigations and forensic analysis by the agency reportedly linked the suspects to the illegal operation, but they have since gone into hiding.
The forfeited assets include a filling station, residential properties and four SUVs with registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.
Reacting to the development, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and target the financial structures sustaining them.
Marwa said the freezing of nearly N10 billion in illicit funds and forfeiture of properties and vehicles sent a strong warning that proceeds of drug trafficking would no longer be allowed to be disguised through legitimate businesses.
He assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to deploy financial intelligence and forensic tools to track, freeze and confiscate assets acquired through criminal activities.
The NDLEA boss also urged members of the public with credible information on the whereabouts of the fleeing suspects to report to the nearest NDLEA office or use the agency’s confidential communication channels.
