Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Four Nigerian nationals have been arrested in India in connection with an alleged drug trafficking network after Indian authorities recovered narcotics estimated at ₹15 crore, equivalent to about N2.1bn.
The arrests followed a series of coordinated operations involving India’s Narcotics Control Bureau, state police and other security agencies targeting suspected drug trafficking and immigration violations involving foreign nationals.
The investigation began on July 18 after intelligence from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force led officers to Khanpur in Delhi, where Nigerian national Obase Prosper Ogboronjor was arrested and more than five kilogrammes of amphetamine were recovered.
The NCB said Ogboronjor was also wanted in connection with an alleged cyber-fraud case involving approximately ₹68 lakh. It added that he had remained in India after his medical visa expired in June 2023.
A follow-up operation on July 21 took investigators to Hans Enclave in Gurugram, where another Nigerian, Abuchi George Okorie, was arrested.
According to the NCB, “a follow-up action led to the seizure of 9.7 kg of amphetamine and 67.84 kg of pseudoephedrine from Hans Enclave in Gurugram, as well as the arrest of another Nigerian national, Abuchi George Okorie.”
The agency said pseudoephedrine was particularly significant because “pseudoephedrine, a controlled substance, is used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.”
Investigators later raided a property in Mehrauli, Delhi, on August 3, recovering 318 grammes of cocaine and six grammes of heroin.
Two more Nigerians, Uchenna Stephen Nwanko and Chikezie Joshua Igwe, were arrested during the operation. The NCB alleged that the pair had “been living illegally for over 13 years.”
An unidentified African woman was also injured during the operation after allegedly attempting to escape by jumping from a balcony.
The NCB said, “During this operation, one African woman, whose identity is being established, attempted to escape by jumping from the balcony, injuring herself. She is currently receiving treatment.”
Following the arrests, the agency reminded hotels, guest houses and landlords in India of their obligations regarding foreign nationals staying on their premises.
The NCB also announced plans for a nationwide campaign, code-named “Trinetra”, to begin in the first week of September 2026 and target foreign nationals allegedly overstaying their visas and suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.
The agency said, “To address the issue in a coordinated manner, the NCB, in association with the State police and immigration authorities, will launch a fortnight-long nationwide campaign, ‘Trinetra’, in the first week of September 2026 to identify such illegally overstaying foreign nationals suspected to be involved in drug trafficking.”
