The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a wanted drug kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, after 13 years in hiding over cocaine and heroin shipments linked to him.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect was first arrested in 2013 over cocaine importation and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos but jumped bail and went underground.
“His name featured prominently in February 2024 as one of the masterminds of the shipment of 49.70 kilograms of heroin imported from South Africa following the interception of the consignment at the import shed of the Lagos airport,” Babafemi stated.
He added that a follow-up operation on February 19, 2024, at the suspect’s Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in Okota led to the recovery of an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin from one of his guests, after which the agency secured interim forfeiture of the hotel and froze bank accounts traced to him.
“Unable to sustain himself in hiding, Chidiebere surrendered to the agency on 13th February 2026 and has since been taken into custody to face his pending charges as well as fresh charges linked to the 2024 heroin consignments,” he said.
Babafemi further disclosed that NDLEA operatives in Imo State dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba LGA, recovering 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and production equipment.
He also detailed seizures across Lagos, Taraba, Kano, Katsina, Osun, Borno and the FCT, including 1,040kg of skunk, 637,600 opioid pills and multiple arrests.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said: “The agency remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks and bringing all offenders to justice. I commend our officers and men for their persistence and professionalism in this operation.”
NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Kingpin After 13 Years in Hiding, Dismantles Meth Lab in Imo
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