By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
A fleeing wanted drug kingpin has eventually being arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after five months manhunt, New Nigerian Newspapers has learnt.
The suspect, identified as Henry Chukwuneku Okamaru (a.k.a. Lawrence Ik Okamaru) is alleged to be the brain behind the 2,000.6kg Cannabis Sativa seized in a concrete mixer truck in Adamawa State on December 2, 2021.
Our correspondent gathered that he was apprehended in Ondo State by the operatives through credible Intelligence.
The Director, Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.
He disclosed that two suspects, named Matthew Donuwe and Friday Nmborgwu had earlier been arrested in connection to the consignment last December, adding that further investigation led to the arrest of the drug Lord.
The release reads, ” Wanted drug kingpin behind the 2000.6kg Cannabis Sativa seized in a concrete mixer truck in Adamawa State on 2nd December 2021, Henry Chukwuneku Okamaru (a.k.a. Lawrence Ik Okamaru) has been arrested in Ondo state after five months of manhunt by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
” Two suspects: Matthew Donuwe and Friday Nmborgwu were arrested in connection to the consignment last December. They had confessed that the concrete mixer truck with Lagos registration number SMK 890 XB was loaded with the illicit drug in Ogbese, Ondo state while they travelled for two months on the road before arriving Adamawa where they were eventually arrested by NDLEA operatives.
” Investigations reveal that Okamaru is one of the leaders of a cannabis cultivation cartel that operates in the Ondo-Ekiti axis, while he shuttles between Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta State from where he coordinates supplies of illicit consignments to Northern parts of the country and Lagos State.
” The drug lord has also been identified as a member of an international drug trafficking ring, while he shuttles between Nigeria and South Africa where he settles his family. He has a strong control and stake in cannabis cultivation in Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States with large storage facilities in Lagos and Abbi in Delta State from where his consignments are distributed year round”.
