The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken into custody an alleged drug trafficking kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, who had been on the run for 13 years. The suspect reportedly surrendered to authorities on February 13, 2026, and is now set to face pending and fresh charges linked to major drug consignments.
The agency disclosed that Chidiebere was initially arrested in 2013 over cocaine trafficking and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos under charge number FHC/L/187c/2923. He was granted bail by Justice Ayokunle Faji but subsequently absconded and remained at large.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi stated that the suspect resurfaced in February 2024 as a key figure in the importation of 49.70 kilograms of heroin from South Africa. The consignment was intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
A follow-up operation conducted on February 19, 2024, at Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in the Ago Palace Way area of Okota, Lagos, led to the recovery of an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin from one of his associates, identified as Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod. After the operation, Chidiebere reportedly went underground again.
The NDLEA secured interim forfeiture of the hotel and froze bank accounts linked to him in 2024. The agency said mounting enforcement actions left the suspect unable to sustain his fugitive status, prompting his surrender this year.
He is expected to face prosecution over the earlier bail violation as well as new charges connected to the 2024 heroin seizures.
Meanwhile, the agency recorded multiple arrests and drug seizures across the country in the past week.
In Imo State, operatives dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area on February 25, 2026. Authorities recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and production equipment.
At the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, officers intercepted a Togolese national, Hadiza Musa, on February 27 for allegedly concealing 5,000 tramadol pills in her luggage. In a separate operation in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, 1,040 kilograms of skunk were recovered from an uncompleted building in Akodo village.
In Kano State, a 45-year-old suspect, Ashiru Bala, was arrested in Tafa Local Government Area with 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a Volkswagen Golf vehicle. In Katsina State, a 21-year-old suspect, Yahaya Usaini, was apprehended along the Zaria–Dutsinma road with 87.4 kilograms of skunk.
Operatives in Osun State arrested two suspects in Osogbo following the seizure of 18.085 kilograms of skunk. In Taraba State, officers intercepted a Mercedes-Benz vehicle along the Bali–Suntai road and recovered 637,600 opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam and exol-5. Another operation in Yorro area of the state led to the seizure of 126.022 kilograms of skunk and the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect.
In the Federal Capital Territory, 499.2 kilograms of skunk were recovered in the Dei-Dei area, while in Borno State, a suspect was intercepted with 7,000 tramadol capsules along the Bama–Konduga road.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across various state commands for the arrests and seizures. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and ensuring offenders are brought to justice.
