The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been praised by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) following the arrest of a wanted drug baron, Ogbonnaya Jeff, who had been on the run for over 17 years.
Ogbonnaya, aged 59, was apprehended on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at a secret hideout in Lagos by the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit.
His arrest is seen as a major win in the global fight against drug trafficking.
The suspect, who had long been the target of an Interpol red notice, was reportedly involved in the trafficking of large quantities of narcotics into South Korea.
According to reports, his arrest was made possible through months of tracking and intelligence efforts.
Following the development, a high-level team from the Korean Intelligence Service visited the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation personally delivered a letter of appreciation from NIS Director Taeyong Cho to NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.).
In the letter, the Korean intelligence chief described Ogbonnaya as “a key figure in an international drug organisation” and celebrated his capture as “a significant breakthrough in Korea’s war on narcotics.”
Moreover, Cho acknowledged the NDLEA’s role, stating, “Kevin Jeff was responsible for smuggling significant quantities of narcotics into the Republic of Korea, and the NIS had been tracking him for years.
Without the NDLEA’s invaluable cooperation, those long-standing efforts might have been in vain.”
Meanwhile, Korean officials Choi Younkwan and Kim Juseok used the visit to formally seek the extradition of the suspect.
They asked that he be returned to Korea to face pending charges related to drug trafficking.
In response, NDLEA boss Marwa emphasized the agency’s firm support for global anti-drug partnerships.
He assured the Korean delegation that their request would be treated in line with Nigerian law and relevant agreements.
“We’re delighted to partner with you and be of service to you. At any time, you can count on us to work together with you towards a drug-free world,” Marwa said.
Furthermore, he extended appreciation to the South Korean government for supplying the NDLEA with useful operational tools.
He noted that the donated equipment would help boost the agency’s efforts.
In addition, Marwa showed interest in exploring training opportunities for NDLEA staff in Korea, describing the move as a welcome development that could further deepen their cooperation.
This milestone arrest by the NDLEA is seen as a clear message that criminal activities, no matter how far or long they go, will be met with justice.
It reinforces the agency’s stronghold in the fight against illegal drug trade and shows that no one is above the law.
