NDLEA NAB DRUG TRAFFICKING KINGPIN AFTER 13-YEAR MANHUNT
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of notorious drug kingpin Reginald Peter Chidiebere, who had been evading authorities for 13 years.
NDLEA revealed that Chidiebere was apprehended following the seizure of significant consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The announcement was made on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.
Babafemi explained that Chidiebere was first arrested in 2013 for cocaine trafficking and arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos (case no. FHC/L/187c/2923). He jumped bail after being granted release and remained at large ever since.
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In February 2024, Chidiebere was identified as a mastermind behind the shipment of 49.70 kilograms of heroin imported from South Africa, intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport. A follow-up raid on February 19, 2024, at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in Okota, Lagos, recovered an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin from a guest, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod.
“The agency had earlier secured interim forfeiture of his hotel and frozen all bank accounts linked to him since 2024,” Babafemi said.
Chidiebere eventually surrendered to the agency on February 13, 2026, after being unable to sustain life in hiding. He is now in custody to face pending charges from 2013, as well as fresh charges related to the 2024 heroin consignments.
In related operations, NDLEA has made several significant drug seizures across the country:
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In Imo State, a clandestine methamphetamine lab in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba LGA, was dismantled on February 25, 2026, with 18.4 kg of meth and precursor chemicals confiscated.
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At Lagos’ Seme border, a Togolese woman, Hadiza Musa, was caught with 5,000 tramadol pills hidden in her luggage.
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In Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, 1,040 kg of skunk cannabis was seized from an unfinished building.
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In Kano, Ashiru Bala, 45, was arrested with 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup in Lambu, Tafa LGA.
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In Katsina, Yahaya Usaini, 21, was apprehended with 87.4 kg of skunk transported in a Toyota Hiace along Zaria-Dutsinma road.
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In Osun, NDLEA arrested Adewale Fatunmise, 40, and Adebisi Korede, 25, in connection with 18.085 kg of skunk seized in Osogbo.
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In Taraba, a Mercedes-Benz vehicle carrying 637,600 opioid pills—including tramadol, diazepam, and Exol-5—was intercepted along Bali-Suntai road; Musa Usman, 27, was arrested at Lankaviri, Yorro, with 126.022 kg of skunk.
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In Abuja, 499.2 kg of skunk was seized at Dei-Dei, while Bulama Modu, 24, was intercepted in Borno with 7,000 tramadol capsules.
Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), praised operatives from MMIA, Seme, Lagos, Imo, Borno, Kano, Katsina, Taraba, Osun, and FCT commands for their efforts. He also commended all NDLEA commands nationwide for balancing drug supply reduction with demand reduction initiatives.
Reacting to Chidiebere’s arrest after 13 years, Marwa affirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and bringing offenders to justice. “I commend our officers and men for their persistence and professionalism in this operation,” he added.
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