Date: August 30, 2026
Reporter: Kim White
South African police have launched a manhunt for a 41-year-old Nigerian national wanted in connection with an alleged drug possession and trafficking case dating back to April 2022, according to the South African Police Service.
Police identified the wanted man as Stanley Ozioma Abachi and said a warrant has been obtained for his arrest. Authorities said Abachi was last seen in Welkom, Free State, and are appealing to members of the public to provide information that could assist investigators in locating him.
The South African Police Service said the case was registered in April 2022 and involves allegations of drug possession and trafficking. Despite the passage of more than four years since the case was opened, police are continuing efforts to locate Abachi and bring him before the courts.
Senekal police are leading efforts to trace the Nigerian national. Authorities have urged anyone who may have information about his whereabouts to contact the investigating authorities rather than attempting to confront or apprehend him themselves.
Police have provided several channels through which members of the public can submit information. Anyone with information can contact Senekal Detective Commander Captain Calvert on 082 466 7635, contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS App.
The manhunt comes as South African authorities intensify operations against suspected drug trafficking and dealing networks across the country. Police operations in recent days have resulted in arrests, drug seizures and investigations involving several suspects, including foreign nationals.
The latest development also follows a major anti-drug operation in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, where police arrested two Nigerian nationals and another suspect and seized suspected drugs with an estimated street value of approximately R1.5 million, equivalent to about N125 million.
The Gqeberha operation was conducted on Thursday, August 27, under Operation Ukubuza, following intelligence concerning suspected drug dealing in Parliament Street in the Central area of the city. Police identified the two Nigerian suspects as 36-year-old Kelvin Ike and 52-year-old Okeke Joseph Sunday.
During that operation, a police K9 officer reportedly detected suspected drugs in and around a white Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo parked in the area. Officers searching the vehicle allegedly discovered a suspect hiding inside the boot.
Investigators subsequently followed a key reportedly found on the suspect, which led them to a flat. A search of the property resulted in the recovery of suspected dagga, tik, khat, cocaine and mandrax tablets, along with smoking pipes, insulin syringes, a measuring scale and cash.
The two Nigerian nationals were subsequently brought before the Gqeberha Magistrate's Court, where their case was postponed until Monday, August 31. A 42-year-old suspect arrested separately on a drug-dealing allegation was also expected to appear in court on the same day.
While the Gqeberha arrests are separate from the case involving Abachi, the developments highlight the continued focus of South African law enforcement agencies on disrupting drug trafficking networks and locating individuals wanted in connection with narcotics-related offences.
Police have not publicly disclosed the precise circumstances surrounding the 2022 allegations against Abachi or explained why the case has remained unresolved for several years. Authorities have also not indicated whether the suspect is believed to have remained in South Africa continuously since the case was registered.
The existence of an arrest warrant means that investigators are seeking to have Abachi taken into custody so that the allegations against him can proceed through the criminal justice system. The accusations remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
South African police are relying on information from communities to help locate the wanted man, particularly in the Welkom and wider Free State areas where he was last reportedly seen.
The case also demonstrates the challenges law enforcement agencies can face when suspects wanted in older cases cannot immediately be located. Investigations can remain active for years, with police continuing to pursue outstanding suspects as new information becomes available.
Authorities have urged members of the public to cooperate with investigators and provide credible information through the official reporting channels. Police have emphasized that information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stop or the MySAPS platform.
As the manhunt continues, investigators are expected to follow available leads to establish Abachi's current whereabouts and execute the outstanding arrest warrant.
For now, the 41-year-old Nigerian remains wanted by South African authorities in connection with the April 2022 drug possession and trafficking case, while police continue efforts to locate him and bring the long-running investigation before the courts.