Korean Intelligence Service commends NDLEA on arrest of wanted drug baron, seeks suspect’s extradition

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The National Intelligence Service of the Republic of Korea (NIS) has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, for its exceptional effort and professionalism in apprehending a wanted 59-year-old drug baron Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff whose 17 years of hiding in the dark to ship illicit drugs worth billions of naira across the world, was ended in February following his arrest by NDLEA operatives in Lagos.

A statement issued yesterday by Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja , said Ogbonnaya had for years been a pain in the neck of the Korean authorities following the persistent shipment of illicit drugs linked to him to South Korea. “As a result, an Interpol red notice was issued against him, while the National Intelligence Service of South Korea sought the help of NDLEA in tracking and arresting him. He had served a one-year prison sentence in Korea in 2007 for drug offences and deported to Nigeria in 2008. After years of being on his trail, operatives of a Special Operations Unit of NDLEA eventually arrested him on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos.

“Excited with the breakthrough, a delegation from the Korean Intelligence Service on Wednesday 16th April 2025 paid the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) a courtesy visit to deliver a letter of appreciation by the Director of NIS, Taeyong Cho.

“In his letter, Cho expressed gratitude for Marwa’s support and “the NDLEA’s exceptional cooperation during our recent joint operation, which led to the arrest of Kevin Jeff, a key figure in an international drug organization.”

According to the Korean Intelligence chief, “Kevin Jeff was responsible for smuggling significant quantities of narcotics into the Republic of Korea, and the NIS had been tracking him for years. I am truly pleased that our two services have successfully carried out the first special cooperation, enabling us to bring him to justice.”