The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended 58-year-old Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, a suspected drug kingpin who had evaded capture for over 15 years. Ilomuanya was arrested in Lagos during a coordinated operation by the NDLEA's Special Operations Unit on February 23, 2026. His long history with drug-related crimes has made him a target not just for Nigerian authorities but also for British law enforcement.

Ilomuanya's criminal history began in the United Kingdom, where he was first arrested and convicted in February 2003 for drug trafficking, receiving a nine-year prison sentence. His early release after two years, following a successful appeal, allowed him to continue his criminal activities. His latest problems with the law arose in 2011 when he was arrested again in the UK for related offences but evaded capture after jumping bail and escaping to Nigeria.

The NDLEA's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, emphasized Ilomuanya's extensive track record of drug crimes across both Nigeria and the UK. His arrest not only highlights the ongoing efforts of the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking but also underscores the collaborative efforts between Nigerian and British authorities to address drug-related crime on an international scale. Ilomuanya's capture is a significant development in the fight against drug trafficking in Nigeria, signaling that long-term fugitives can still be apprehended after many years on the run.