The National Intelligence Service of South Korea has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for the arrest of a notorious drug baron, Ogbonnaya Jeff, while seeking his extradition to face charges in Seoul. Ogbonnaya, 59, was arrested on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, by operatives of the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit at his hideout in Lagos, after 17 years on the run.
The suspect had been the subject of an Interpol red notice due to his alleged role in smuggling illicit drugs into South Korea, a transnational operation that reportedly generated billions of naira over the years.
Following his arrest, a statement on Wednesday by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said a high-level delegation from the Korean Intelligence Service visited the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja to personally deliver a letter of appreciation from the NIS Director, Taeyong Cho, to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd).
In the letter, Babafemi said Cho praised the NDLEA’s professionalism and described Ogbonnaya as “a key figure in an international drug organisation” whose arrest marks a significant breakthrough in Korea’s war on narcotics.”
He also expressed optimism about stronger bilateral cooperation in the future.
“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,” Cho wrote.
During the visit, NIS officials Choi Younkwan and Kim Juseok formally requested the extradition of Ogbonnaya to South Korea to face unresolved drug trafficking charges.
Responding, NDLEA boss Marwa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global anti-narcotics collaboration and assured the Korean delegation that the extradition request would be considered in line with Nigerian laws and existing bilateral 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,’’ he said.
He also extended gratitude to the Korean government for donating vital equipment to the NDLEA, noting that such support would enhance the agency’s operations.
Marwa expressed interest in potential training opportunities for NDLEA personnel in Korea, describing it as a welcome development in the expanding cooperation between both nations.
