Abia drug lord who keeps own army arrested 

One of two brothers alleged to be the major distributors of hard drugs in the southeast of Nigeria has finally been arrested, after nine years of his being on the run.

The suspect, Onyeaghalachi Stephen Nwagwugwu, was apprehended by anti-narcotics operatives who stormed his location in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State.

However, the other suspect, Eze Kaleb Stephen, escaped being arrested when the operatives visited his location.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said its investigations “show that the two notorious brothers began a career in the illicit drug business since the late 90s when they started as pocket dealers before they later established smoking joints/bunks in their community, Ntigha Okpuola”.

The NDLEA added the duo “subsequently grew to become barons; owning hotels, houses in choice areas of Abia, Rivers and Imo State, with exotic cars in their homes.”

“The NDLEA has been on their trail sine 2013 when they organized a mob attack on some of the Agency’s operatives who attempted to apprehend them during a raid. At least, one of the officers attacked then is still bedridden till date.

“The two drug lords equally own armed militia guarding their houses and drug stores, where they deal in assorted illicit substances like Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine (Mpuru-miri), Loud/Arizona and all sorts.

“In the course of the operation, one of their militiamen, Eberechi Kingsley Monday was also arrested.

The agency said that it recovered “quantities of cocaine and variants of cannabis” from the two houses. It also said two hotels, one eatery, two mansions and three exotic vehicles belonging to the two brothers had been seized.

“The identified hotels include: Jahlove Hotel, Mbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA; Noicyhl Luxury Hotel, Aba -Port-Harcourt expressway, Aba and Royal Cruise Fast Food, Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, all in Abia State

“Efforts are ongoing to trace more of their bank accounts and properties.”