Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has declared four suspects wanted over their alleged involvement in operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State and laundering proceeds from illicit drug activities.
The suspects are Nnamuka Uchenna, also known as Odogwu; Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka; Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley; and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke, also known as Ekene Okwunaga.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency also froze bank accounts linked to the suspects with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66 following forensic investigations.
“Through forensic investigation of the meth syndicate by NDLEA operatives, bank accounts linked to the wanted suspects with a combined balance of N9,840,873,566.66 only was frozen,” Babafemi said.
The agency said it also secured interim forfeiture orders on assets allegedly connected to the syndicate, including a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles with registration numbers RLU 148 AJ, KJA 563 FZ, BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.
Babafemi explained that the suspects were declared wanted after Justice Iniekenimi Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Owerri granted an application filed by the NDLEA in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 on July 3.
The court action followed the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, on February 25, 2026.
NDLEA operatives recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and other exhibits during the operation, while subsequent investigations allegedly linked the four suspects to the facility.
“The suspects have since gone into hiding,” the statement said.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operation reflected the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and targeting the financial structures supporting them.
He assured Nigerians that the agency would continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects and urged anyone with useful information on their whereabouts to contact the nearest NDLEA office or use its confidential reporting channels.
