Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested a 59-year-old drug kingpin, Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff.
The suspect had been declared wanted 17 years ago, was arrested at his hideout in Ojo area of Lagos State.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), announced his arrest on Monday at a press briefing in Abuja.
Marwa disclosed that operatives of its Special Operations Unit had been on the trail of Ogbonnaya, following an Interpol red notice against him and information from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea.
He said: “The major development that warranted this special briefing pertains to the arrest of a drug lord who’s wanted across the world as the leader of an international drug trafficking organisation.
“On Wednesday, 12th February 2025, we achieved that objective in the successful arrest of Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, a 59-year-old drug baron.
“The suspect was arrested at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos. He has been under NDLEA investigation before his arrest.
“As a result, we have comprehensive intelligence on his activities, and incontrovertible facts that he is a notorious drug lord who recruited young Nigerians as couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
“Our records reveal that many Nigerians apprehended outside the country for drug-related offences were linked to him.”
Marwa added: “Furthermore, we have established that he laundered drug proceeds through the importation of electronics and other goods.
“Following his arrest, a search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple Nigerian international passports belonging to different individuals, many of which contained Korean visas.”
The NDLEA boss disclosed that some illicit substances were also recovered in a storehouse at the back of the suspect’s house in Lagos.
