President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) for dismantling what authorities described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever uncovered in Nigeria.
The operation led to the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, three Mexican nationals and several Nigerian collaborators linked to an international methamphetamine production syndicate operating in Ogun and Lagos states.
The massive laboratory was hidden inside Abidagba Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, where operatives of the NDLEA Special Operations Unit stormed the facility after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
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NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the operation led to the seizure of drugs and precursor chemicals valued at about $362.9 million, estimated at over N480 billion in the international market.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the professionalism and courage of the anti-narcotics agency, describing the operation as a major success in Nigeria’s fight against organised crime.
“This successful operation, which led to the arrest of foreign nationals, local kingpins and other collaborators, as well as the seizure of chemicals and illicit drugs valued at over $360m, demonstrates exceptional professionalism, courage and unwavering commitment to safeguarding society from the devastating effects of narcotics,” the President said.
Tinubu also warned that West Africa was becoming increasingly vulnerable to international drug cartels using the region as a transit and production route.
“West Africa has become a great concern in the global war against narcotics as drug barons turn our region into a transit hub for moving cocaine, synthetic drugs and unregulated pharmaceuticals to Europe and North America,” he added.
Marwa disclosed that the operation was carried out simultaneously across Ogun and Lagos states within 48 hours.
According to him, operatives raided the forest laboratory on May 16 and caught members of the syndicate processing methamphetamine.
The three Mexican nationals arrested at the site were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.
Four Nigerians arrested at the facility include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.
Another tactical team simultaneously raided a residence at Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lekki, Lagos, where the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, was arrested.
The NDLEA said operatives recovered the passports and mobile phones of the Mexican nationals from the Lekki residence, linking the suspect directly to their importation and operations in Nigeria.
Follow-up operations also led to the arrest of another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, while investigators raided another property allegedly used as a stash house.
The agency said a total of 10 suspects are currently in custody.
Authorities also recovered 2,419.48 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals, alongside industrial solvents allegedly used in drug production.
Marwa warned that the agency would continue targeting transnational drug syndicates operating in Nigeria and using rural communities as secret production bases.
The latest bust comes weeks after NDLEA and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration dismantled a Nigerian-led international drug money laundering network across several countries.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
