NDLEA Arrests Cocaine Kingpin, Dismantles Secret Imo Drug Lab

T The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, who had been on the run for 13 years following major cocaine and heroin seizures linked to him.

The agency disclosed that Chidiebere was initially arrested in 2013 over the shipment of cocaine into Nigeria and was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos. However, he allegedly jumped bail after being granted release and subsequently went into hiding.

NDLEA stated that his name resurfaced prominently in February 2024 as one of the masterminds behind 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.

According to the agency, a follow-up operation conducted on February 19, 2024, at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in Okota, Lagos, led to the recovery of an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin from a guest, identified as Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod. Following the development, the suspect reportedly went underground, while the agency secured interim forfeiture of his hotel and froze bank accounts linked to him.

Confirming the latest development, the NDLEA said Chidiebere surrendered to the agency on February 13, 2026.

“Following sustained pressure and financial restrictions placed on him, the suspect could no longer remain in hiding and surrendered to the agency. He is now in custody to face pending charges for which he jumped bail in 2013, as well as fresh charges linked to the 2024 heroin consignments,” the agency stated.

In a related operation, NDLEA operatives in Imo State dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area on February 25, 2026.

The agency said 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were recovered alongside large quantities of precursor chemicals and production equipment.

“The discovery and dismantling of the laboratory is a major breakthrough in our ongoing war against synthetic drug production in the country,” NDLEA officials noted.

Multiple Arrests, Major Seizures Nationwide

At the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a Togolese woman, Hadiza Musa, on February 27, 2026, with 5,000 pills of tramadol concealed in her luggage.

In another operation, operatives recovered 1,040 kilograms of skunk from an uncompleted building at Akodo village, Seaside Eleko, along Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.

Similarly, in Kano State, a 45-year-old suspect, Ashiru Bala, was arrested with 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup while transporting the consignment in a Volkswagen Golf vehicle. In Katsina State, NDLEA operatives apprehended a 21-year-old suspect, Yahaya Usaini, with 87.4 kilograms of skunk along the Zaria–Dutsinma road.

The agency reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations nationwide to dismantle drug trafficking networks and bring offenders to justice.

“We remain resolute in our mandate to rid the country of illicit drugs and ensure that those involved in the trade are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the NDLEA added.