NDLEA Director Daniel Onyishi has been rescued days after his abduction in Awka, Anambra State.
Authorities credit joint tactical efforts and vow to arrest those behind the daring kidnapping plot.
The Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra State, Mr. Daniel Onyishi, has been freed from captivity days after he was abducted by unknown gunmen in Awka, the state capital.
On Wednesday morning, June 12, 2025, Mr. Onyishi was kidnapped along Winner Road in Awka. His abduction triggered widespread concern within security circles and among government officials, especially given his prominent role in anti-drug enforcement operations in the state.
Confirming his release, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Sunday, June 22, that the NDLEA boss has been safely rescued and is currently receiving medical care.
“The Police, in collaboration with sister agencies, especially the high-powered covert operatives of the NDLEA led by Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, the Zone 12 Commander of the NDLEA, complemented the aggressive rescue efforts which helped the victim’s safe return,” Ikenga stated.
According to the police, Mr. Onyishi’s release followed days of joint tactical operations involving intelligence-led search and rescue missions. The security agencies involved reportedly maintained utmost secrecy throughout the operation to ensure the safety of the victim.
Although details surrounding the actual circumstances of his release remain classified, it was confirmed that Onyishi did not sustain life-threatening injuries. He is currently under medical supervision, where his condition is said to be stable.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has also briefed the Police High Command on the successful rescue. According to Ikenga, the Commissioner has activated the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that all individuals involved in the abduction are tracked down and brought to justice.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD, has briefed the Police High Command on the development and activated the IGP’s directive to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.”
Mr. Onyishi’s abduction had sent shockwaves through the NDLEA, an agency that has increasingly come under threat due to its intensifying crackdown on drug cartels and illicit trafficking in various parts of the country. Analysts believe his kidnapping may have been a targeted attempt to weaken enforcement operations or intimidate personnel.
The successful rescue operation has been hailed by security observers as a major win for inter-agency cooperation in Nigeria’s fight against crime and terrorism. It also underscores the growing threats faced by law enforcement personnel operating in volatile regions like Anambra, where criminal gangs, kidnappers, and separatist groups have all been active.
Residents in the state have expressed relief over the news of Onyishi’s release. Civil society groups and local community leaders praised the prompt response of security agencies and urged for the quick arrest of the culprits involved.
A senior official within the NDLEA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the agency remains undeterred in its operations. “This incident only reminds us of the risks our officers face every day, but it will not deter our commitment to ridding Nigeria of drug-related crimes,” the official said.
As investigations continue, security has reportedly been heightened around other senior government officials in the state. Authorities are said to be narrowing down on possible suspects and motives behind the kidnapping, with arrests expected in the coming days.
The incident adds to a growing list of targeted attacks on security officials in Nigeria, especially in the Southeast, and has renewed calls for improved intelligence sharing, community policing, and technological surveillance.
