Quick Summary:
NDLEA apprehends notorious drug lord Reginald Peter Chidiebere after 13 years in hiding, following cocaine and heroin seizures linked to him at Lagos airport; agency dismantles meth lab and intercepts multiple drug consignments nationwide.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Reginald Peter Chidiebere, a notorious drug kingpin who had been on the run for 13 years.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, the suspect was taken into custody after operatives linked him to large consignments of cocaine and heroin seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
13-Year Manhunt Ends
Babafemi revealed that Chidiebere was first arrested in 2013 for importing cocaine into Nigeria and was arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos in case number FHC/L/187c/2923.
He was granted bail but jumped bail and went into hiding.
In February 2024, his name resurfaced as one of the masterminds behind a 49.70kg heroin shipment from South Africa, intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport.
A follow-up operation at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites, located at 16/18 Reginald Peter Chidiebere Street, Hope Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, led to the recovery of 2.20kg of heroin from one of his guests, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod.
Following the raid, Chidiebere went underground again, prompting the agency to secure interim forfeiture of his hotel and block all bank accounts linked to him.
Unable to sustain himself in hiding, he surrendered to the NDLEA on 13 February 2026 and is now in custody to face pending and fresh charges.
Nationwide Drug Operations
NDLEA operatives also recorded major drug seizures across several states:
- Imo State: A methamphetamine laboratory was dismantled in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba LGA, with 18.4kg of meth and precursor chemicals recovered.
- Seme Border, Lagos: A Togolese woman, Hadiza Musa, was arrested with 5,000 tramadol pills concealed in her luggage.
- Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos: 1,040kg of skunk was recovered from an uncompleted building in Akodo village.
- Kano State: Ashiru Bala, 45, was arrested with 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup in Tafa LGA.
- Katsina State: Yahaya Usaini, 21, was caught transporting 87.4kg of skunk along Zaria–Dutsinma road.
- Osun State: Adewale Fatunmise (40) and Adebisi Korede (25) were arrested with 18.085kg of skunk in Osogbo.
- Taraba State: 637,600 opioid pills were seized along Bali–Suntai road, while 126.022kg of skunk was recovered in Lankaviri Yorro.
- FCT, Abuja: 499.2kg of skunk was recovered in Dei-Dei, and Bulama Modu, 24, was arrested with 7,000 tramadol capsules in Borno State.
NDLEA Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the agency’s officers across all commands for their persistence, professionalism, and balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction.
Reacting to Chidiebere’s arrest, Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling criminal drug networks and ensuring that all offenders face justice.