The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of fugitive drug lord, 58-year-old Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, describing the development as a breakthrough in the fight against international drug trafficking.
According to the agency, Ilomuanya had been on the radar of British authorities for more than 15 years before his eventual arrest on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Lagos during a coordinated operation by the agency’s Special Operations Unit.
The arrest brings to an end a prolonged manhunt linked to his extensive record of drug-related offences in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, underscoring what officials described as his persistent involvement in the global narcotics trade.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), said the arrest sends a clear message to criminal networks operating across borders.
“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. The long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” he said.
In a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Marwa disclosed that Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom, where he was convicted for drug trafficking and sentenced to nine years in prison. He was, however, released after serving two years following a successful appeal.
The suspect was again arrested in July 2011 in the UK for drug-related offences but reportedly jumped bail and fled to Nigeria before he could face further legal consequences.
NDLEA officials further revealed that in November 2018, Ilomuanya was arrested in Nigeria after operatives uncovered two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories at his properties in Imo State and Lagos, with 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine recovered. He was subsequently arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos but absconded while on bail, effectively becoming a fugitive.
Marwa described the latest arrest as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s sustained offensive against drug cartels and reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations and international collaboration.
He also commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and diligence, reiterating the agency’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
