Olayiwola Matthew
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, a “fugitive drug lord”, who has been on the wanted list for over 15 years.
In a statement on Wednesday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said 58-year-old Ilomuanya was arrested in Lagos on Monday, February 23, “following a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the special operations unit of the agency. ”.
The NDLEA spokesperson said Ilomuanya was first arrested in the United Kingdom (UK) in February 2003, convicted for drug trafficking, and sentenced to nine years in prison.
Babafemi said Ilomuanya was later released after two years in prison upon appeal.
“Not done with 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,” the statement reads.
“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.”
Buba Marwa, NDLEA Chairman, said the arrest serves as “stern warning” to those who think they can hide under international borders to escape justice.
Marwa said the agency will continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations and deepen international cooperation against drug trafficking.
