The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya who has been on the wanted list of NDLEA and British authorities for over 15 years.

Ilomuanya was apprehended at a location in Lagos on Monday, 23rd February 2026, following a high-stakes well-coordinated operation by officers of a Special Operations Unit of the Agency.

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, commented that 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 global narcotics trade.

He was first arrested in February 2003 and convicted in the United Kingdom for drug trafficking; sentenced to nine years but was later released after two years in jail upon appeal.

Not done with the crime, he was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 for drug-related offences.

He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.

Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu LGA country home in Imo state and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close Lagos house where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court, Lagos after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.

Reacting to the successful operation leading to Ilomuanya’s arrest, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the development as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s relentless war against drug cartels.

According to him, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.

Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.

“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.

The NDLEA under our watch will continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations, deepen international cooperation, and ensure that those involved in the illicit drug trade are brought to justice.”

He commended the officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the Agency remains unwavering in its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within Nigeria.

Women in Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State, have taken the lead in the battle against hard drugs by imposing a fine of N500,000 on anyone found using or selling banned substances, with threats of ex-communication for non-compliance.

Led by Mrs. Caroline Ekpe, a school teacher and mother of five, the women drawn from Onyen Orangha, Nkum Iyala, Akam, Nyametet, Ababene and surrounding communities in Obubra, marched through villages, chanting songs and declaring zero tolerance for drug abuse.

Lamenting the alarming rates of hard drug abuse among youths, the women, who were mostly mothers, said that they are fed up with the devastating impact of substance abuse on their children and communities.

The women cited rampant road crashes, squabbles, pregnancies, and immoral sex among youths under the influence of drugs.

The women declared that the atrocious activities caused by youths on drug influence are taking a toll not only on themselves but the entire communities and therefore must stop.

Mrs. Ekpe emphasised that the women in the entire Obubra are highly disturbed about the mental state of their children occasioned by high drug abuse.

She said that the women have taken a stand against the abuse of methamphetamine popularly known as “ice”, shisha, marijuana, tramadol and other illicit drugs in their communities and as such vowed that it must stop.

“We are mothers and must act now before the situation gets completely out of hand.

If our men are looking the other way, the government not concerned and the churches not bothered about what is going on, we the women who gave birth to these children must show them the right way before our communities are completely engulfed in drugs and deviant acts”

” We have had enough. When they ride motorcycles after taking these drugs, it is like they want to fly and often they end up crashing and killing themselves or maiming others.

“If an elder, even their parents talk to them it is like an ant talking. We certainly cannot continue this way,” she said.

Mrs Ekpe added: “The girls are not left out. They take these things and become something else and before you know it they are pregnant. The burden becomes that of the mother to take care of the mother and the child. Why should that be?

” We know that these drugs are brought from outside to destroy our youths and our communities and our eyes are watching to see who would dare us by bringing drugs here again both at night or in the day.”

The Nigeria Police Force has recently unveiled the official portrait of the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu (also referred to as Tunji Disu).

This follows his appointment as Acting IGP on February 24, 2026, after the resignation of the previous IGP, Kayode Egbetokun (who cited family reasons).

The Nigeria Police Council unanimously confirmed and endorsed Disu as the substantive IGP on March 2, 2026, during a meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. His formal swearing-in is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The portrait was released on March 3, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, via official channels (including X/Twitter and the Nigeria Police Force’s social media).

It depicts Disu in full police uniform and is set to be displayed at key police formations nationwide as part of the formal recognition of his leadership role as the 23rd indigenous IGP.

Disu, born April 13, 1966 (age 59), hails from Lagos Island and joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992. He has a background in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security studies, and more.

Prior roles include heading the Special Protection Unit and Force CID Annex in Lagos, and he previously served as Aide-de-Camp to then-Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu (during which time Egbetokun was also in the governor’s security detail).

This marks a leadership transition amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, with congratulations and discussions already circulating on social media and news outlets.