NDLEA arrests Abia drug kingpins, seals hotels, mansions

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Onyeaghalachi Stephen Nwagwugwu, one of two brothers serving as major sources of illicit drug supplies in South East and South South parts of the country after nine years of being on his trail.

The elder brother, Eze Kaleb Stephen, who is also wanted, narrowly escaped during the overnight operation carried out simultaneously in their two locations – Umuahia and Ntigha Okpuola communities in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, Abia State.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, said that the investigations showed the two notorious brothers’ involvement in the illicit drug business began in the late 90s.

They were said to have started as pocket dealers before establishing hemp joints/bunks in their community, Ntigha Okpuola.

They subsequently grew to become barons, owning hotels and houses in choice areas of Abia, Rivers and Imo states, with exotic cars in their homes.

“The NDLEA had been on their trail since 2013 when they organized a mob attack on some of the Agency’s operatives who attempted to apprehend them during a raid. At least, one of the officers attacked then is still bedridden to date.

“The two drug lords equally own armed militia guarding their houses and drug stores, where they deal in assorted illicit substances like Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine (Mpuru-nmiri), Loud/Arizona and all sorts.

Fresh bid to bring the duo to book and end their criminal trade was launched four months ago, leading to a simultaneous raid operation on their locations on Saturday, November 26, 2022.

“While the younger brother, Onyeaghalachi Stephen Nwagwugwu, who lives in Umuahia, the Abia state capital was successfully arrested, the elder brother, Eze Kaleb Stephen, narrowly escaped when his Ntigha Okpuola community home was stormed by operatives, backed by men of the Nigerian Army.

“In the course of the operation, one of their militiamen, Eberechi Kingsley Monday was also arrested.

During the raid, quantities of cocaine and variants of cannabis were recovered from the two houses while the Agency has so far sealed two hotels, one eatery, and two mansions linked to them and recovered three exotic vehicles from their homes, as efforts are ongoing to trace more of their bank accounts and properties,” Babafemi said.

The identified hotels included Jahlove Hotel, Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA; Noicyhl Luxury Hotel, Aba -Port-Harcourt expressway, Aba and Royal Cruise Fast Food, Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, all in Abia State.

Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men of the Agency involved in the operation, as well as men of the military who supported them for their professionalism.

He said it is in the interest of the fleeing baron to turn himself in before the Agency would smoke him out because there would be no hiding place for him.