NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Kingpin After 13 Years, Dismantles Meth Lab, Records Major Seizures Nationwide

Published By Ayshatu S Rabo On Mar 1, 2026

NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Kingpin After 13 Years, Dismantles Meth Lab, Records Major Seizures Nationwide

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded major breakthroughs in the fight against illicit drugs, including the arrest of a notorious drug kingpin after 13 years on the run, the dismantling of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State, and multiple high-profile seizures across the country.

After years in hiding, Reginald Peter Chidiebere has been taken into custody following the interception of large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. Chidiebere was first arrested in 2013 over cocaine trafficking and arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, but jumped bail and disappeared.

In February 2024, he was identified as one of the masterminds behind the importation of 49.70kg of heroin from South Africa, intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport. A follow-up raid on his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in Okota, Lagos, led to the recovery of an additional 2.20kg of heroin from a guest, after which Chidiebere went underground. NDLEA subsequently secured an interim forfeiture of the hotel and froze his bank accounts. Unable to sustain life in hiding, he surrendered to the agency on February 13, 2026, and is now in custody to face both old and fresh charges.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Imo State on February 25, 2026 dismantled a clandestine laboratory at Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba LGA, where 18.4kg of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals, and production equipment were recovered.

At the Seme Border, a Togolese Hadiza Musa, was intercepted with 5,000 pills of tramadol concealed in her luggage. In Lagos, 1,040kg of skunk was recovered from an uncompleted building in Akodo village, Ibeju-Lekki.

Other arrests and seizures included 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup seized in Kano; 87.4kg of skunk intercepted in Katsina; 18.085kg of skunk recovered in Osun; 637,600 pills of opioids seized in Taraba; 126.022kg of skunk recovered in another Taraba operation; 499.2kg of skunk recovered in the FCT; and 7,000 capsules of tramadol intercepted in Borno State.

The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns across several states, targeting schools and communities to curb drug demand.

Commending the nationwide operations, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised officers for their professionalism and persistence. Reacting to Chidiebere’s arrest, Marwa reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and bring offenders to justice.