NDLEA (The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency), arrested 58-year-old drug kingpin Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya in Lagos. Officers from the agency’s Special Operations Unit carried out the high-stakes, well-coordinated operation on February 23 2026. This action ended his more than 15 years on the run.
Arrest Follows Intelligence Led Operation
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi announced the arrest in a statement. He described the capture as a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks. Additionally the operation targeted a suspect wanted by both NDLEA and British authorities.
Suspect Evaded Capture For Years
Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya first faced arrest in the United Kingdom. British authorities arrested him in February 2003 for drug trafficking. A court convicted him and sentenced him to nine years in prison. However he served only two years after a successful appeal.
Second Arrest And Escape In Britain
British officials arrested Ilomuanya again in July 2011 for drug-related offences. They granted him administrative bail. Nevertheless he jumped bail and fled to Nigeria.
NDLEA Discovers Methamphetamine Laboratories
In November 2018 NDLEA operatives arrested Ilomuanya in Nigeria. They discovered two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. One laboratory stood at his country home in Obinugwu Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. The other operated at his residence on Barrister Declan Uzoma Close in Lagos.
Officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment from the sites. Authorities charged him before a Federal High Court in Lagos. Yet Ilomuanya jumped court bail and remained on the run since then.
Agency Spokesperson Details History
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi said “Typical of a recidivist Ilomuanya was arrested in November 2018 in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives. They made the arrest following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories one at his Obinugwu Orlu LGA country home in Imo state and another at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close Lagos house. Officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment from these locations. He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court Lagos after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”
Babafemi added “His arrest ends a long-standing cat-and-mouse game with the law following his long history of drug-related crimes across Nigeria and the United Kingdom which highlight a persistent involvement in the global narcotics trade.”
