NDLEA Suspect
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the arrest of a notorious drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, after 13 years in hiding.
Naija News understands that Chidiebere was taken into custody following fresh links to large consignments of cocaine and heroin.
Chidiebere, who was first arrested in 2013 over the shipment of cocaine into Nigeria, had been arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/187c/2923.
He, however, jumped bail shortly after being granted freedom and went underground.
In February 2024, his name resurfaced as one of the masterminds behind the importation of 49.70 kilograms of heroin from South Africa. The consignment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
A follow-up operation on February 19, 2024, at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites located in the Okota area of Lagos led to the recovery of an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin from one of his guests, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod.
NDLEA Suspect
Following the operation, the agency secured an interim forfeiture order on the hotel and froze bank accounts linked to him.
With his assets blocked and movement restricted, Chidiebere eventually surrendered to the agency on February 13, 2026. He is now in custody to face his pending 2013 charges as well as fresh counts related to the 2024 heroin seizures.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Imo State on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, in Njaba Local Government Area.
A total of 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were recovered alongside precursor chemicals and equipment used in producing the illicit substance.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA detailed multiple operations across the country.
At the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, officers intercepted a Togolese woman, Hadiza Musa, at the departure tarmac with 5,000 tramadol pills concealed in her luggage.
Operatives also recovered 1,040 kilograms of skunk from an uncompleted building at Akodo village, Seaside Eleko, along the Ibeju-Lekki axis of Lagos.
In Kano State, a 45-year-old suspect, Ashiru Bala, was arrested with 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a Volkswagen Golf car. Similarly, Yahaya Usaini, 21, was apprehended in Katsina State with 87.4 kilograms of skunk along the Zaria–Dutsinma road.
In Osun State, two suspects, Adewale Fatunmise, 40, and Adebisi Korede, 25, were arrested in Osogbo in connection with the seizure of 18.085 kilograms of skunk.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Mercedes-Benz vehicle along Bali-Suntai road conveying 637,600 opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam and exol-5. Another operation in Lankaviri Yorro led to the arrest of Musa Usman, 27, and the seizure of 126.022 kilograms of skunk.
In the Federal Capital Territory, 499.2 kilograms of skunk were recovered at Dei-Dei, Abuja, while in Borno State, a suspect, Bulama Modu, 24, was caught with 7,000 tramadol capsules along the Bama-Konduga road.
The agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse campaign with sensitisation lectures in schools across Niger, Oyo, Jigawa, Cross River and Kano states.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended officers of the MMIA, Seme, Lagos, Imo, Borno, Kano, Katsina, Taraba, Osun and FCT Commands for the arrests and seizures.
Reacting to Chidiebere’s arrest after over a decade on the run, Marwa said the agency remained steadfast in dismantling criminal networks.
“I commend our officers and men for their persistence and professionalism in this operation,” he said, adding that the agency would continue to ensure that drug traffickers face justice.
The latest developments underscore NDLEA’s renewed offensive against drug trafficking syndicates and its commitment to balancing supply reduction with demand reduction strategies nationwide.