Notorious drug baron, Ogbonnaya Jeff, arrested in Lagos after 17 years on the run

February 03, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended Ogbonnaya Jeff, a 59-year-old international drug baron, at his hideout in the Ojo area of Lagos.

This arrest comes after 17 years of evading authorities, with the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit tracking him down following an Interpol Red Notice and intelligence from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea.

According to Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, the agency had gathered overwhelming evidence of Ogbonnaya’s illicit activities, including recruiting young Nigerians as drug couriers to smuggle substances into the Republic of Korea.

Ogbonnaya’s arrest is a major milestone in the NDLEA’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in Nigeria.

The agency’s relentless pursuit of justice has finally brought this notorious drug baron to book.