Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, after 13 years in hiding, in a sweeping nationwide crackdown that also led to the dismantling of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and multiple drug seizures across several states.
Chidiebere, who had been on the run since 2013 after jumping bail, was taken into custody following investigations linking him to major cocaine and heroin shipments intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the agency, the suspect was initially arrested in 2013 over cocaine trafficking and arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, but absconded after being granted bail. His name resurfaced in February 2024 as one of the masterminds behind a 49.70kg heroin consignment imported from South Africa and intercepted at the Lagos airport.
A follow-up raid on February 19, 2024, at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in Okota, Lagos, led to the recovery of an additional 2.20kg of heroin from one of his associates, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod. The NDLEA subsequently secured an interim forfeiture order on the hotel and froze bank accounts linked to him.
Unable to sustain life in hiding, Chidiebere surrendered to NDLEA operatives on February 13, 2026, and is now set to face pending charges related to his earlier case as well as fresh counts tied to the 2024 heroin shipments.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives on February 25 dismantled a clandestine laboratory located in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. Officers recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine alongside large quantities of precursor chemicals and equipment used for drug production.
At the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, officers intercepted a Togolese woman, Hadiza Musa, attempting to smuggle 5,000 tramadol pills concealed in her luggage.
In another operation along the Ibeju-Lekki corridor of Lagos, operatives recovered 1,040 kilograms of skunk from an uncompleted building in Akodo village, Seaside Eleko.
In Kano State, a suspect, Ashiru Bala, 45, was arrested with 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a Volkswagen Golf vehicle.
In Katsina State, Yahaya Usaini, 21, was nabbed transporting 87.4kg of skunk along the Zaria–Dutsinma road.
In Osun State, two suspects were arrested following the seizure of 18.085kg of skunk in Osogbo.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives intercepted 637,600 opioid pills concealed in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, while another operation led to the arrest of Musa Usman, 27, and the seizure of 126.022kg of skunk.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, officers recovered 499.2kg of skunk at Dei-Dei.
In Borno State, a suspect was intercepted with 7,000 tramadol capsules along the Bama–Konduga road.
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns nationwide, conducting sensitisation lectures in schools across Niger, Oyo, Jigawa, Cross River and Kano states as part of efforts to curb drug demand.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across the agency’s commands for their coordinated operations and dedication.
He reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks, noting that the arrest of Chidiebere after years in hiding demonstrates NDLEA’s persistence in ensuring offenders face justice.
“I commend our officers and men for their persistence and professionalism in this operation,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and preventive education as part of its nationwide anti-drug strategy.
