The NDLEA has succeeded in arresting a long-sought fugitive after 13 years in hiding, marking another victory in its relentless effort to disrupt drug logistics. The kingpin, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, was taken into custody at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) after NDLEA operatives linked him to the seizure of major cocaine and heroin shipments in Ikeja, Lagos.
In a statement released by Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA confirmed that the notorious drug lord has finally been cornered.
Although he was initially arrested in 2013 and arraigned in charge no. FHC/L/187c/2923 before Justice Ayokunle Faji, the suspect jumped bail shortly after his release. His 13-year stint as a fugitive ended this February after the agency blocked his bank accounts and seized his hotel.
However, in February 2024, Chidiebere emerged as a primary mastermind behind a massive 49.70kg heroin shipment from South Africa, intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport. The investigation quickly closed in on his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in Okota. During a follow-up raid on February 19, agents seized an additional 2.20kg of heroin from a guest, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod. While Chidiebere fled underground to evade arrest, the NDLEA has since frozen his bank accounts and secured an interim forfeiture of his hotel.
Faced with crippled finances and no place left to run, Chidiebere’s 13-year flight from justice finally ended with his surrender to the NDLEA on February 13, 2026. He is now in custody to answer for both his 2013 bail-jumping offence and fresh charges tied to the 2024 heroin syndicate. This breakthrough underscores the Agency’s unwavering resolve to close the loop on every cold case.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives achieved another significant milestone in Imo State on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The team successfully dismantled a clandestine laboratory tucked away in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka (Njaba LGA), where 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were recovered. Agents also seized a large cache of precursor chemicals and specialized equipment used in the production of the illicit substance.
Similarly, at the Seme border in Badagry, NDLEA officers stationed at the departure tarmac intercepted a Togolese national, Hadiza Musa, on Friday, 27th February. She was caught with 5,000 tramadol pills cleverly concealed within her luggage. This followed a major coastal breakthrough on Wednesday, 25th February, where operatives recovered 1,040 kilograms of skunk (a potent cannabis strain) from an uncompleted building in Akodo Village, Seaside Eleko, along the Ibeju-Lekki corridor.
The Agency’s vigilance in the North led to the arrest of 45-year-old Ashiru Bala in Lambu, Tafa LGA, Kano State, on Wednesday, 25th February. He was caught conveying 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup in a Volkswagen Golf marked CA [REDACTED] ABC. Two days later, on Friday, 27th February, 21-year-old Yahaya Usaini was nabbed along the Zaria-Dutsinma road in Katsina State while transporting 87.4 kilograms of skunk in a Toyota Hiace bus (Reg: KUJ 544 RL).
In Osun State, a targeted operation in the Aregbe area of Osogbo on Monday, 23rd February, resulted in the arrest of Adewale Fatunmise (40) and Adebisi Korede (25) for the possession of 18.085kg of skunk.
Capping off the week, NDLEA operatives in Taraba State—acting on credible intelligence—intercepted a Mercedes-Benz (KWL-607DC) along the Bali-Suntai road on Thursday, 26th February. The vehicle was found to be transporting a staggering 637,600 opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5, destined for Baruwa in Gashaka LGA.
Still in Taraba State, a tactical interdiction operation at Lankaviri, Yorro, led to the arrest of 27-year-old Musa Usman and the successful seizure of 126.022kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, in the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives intensified their crackdown on Wednesday, 25th February, where 499.2kg of skunk was recovered in the Dei-Dei area of Abuja.
While in Borno State Intercept
the Agency’s vigilance in the Northeast yielded results on Tuesday, 24th February, when a suspect, Bulama Modu (24), was intercepted along the Bama-Konduga road. He was found conveying 7,000 capsules of tramadol within a commercial vehicle, cut short by the swift action of NDLEA officers.
The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign maintained its high momentum this past week, with intensive outreach activities rolling out across various commands and formations nationwide.
A central pillar of this initiative was the WADA Sensitization Lectures, aimed at equipping students and staff with the tools to resist illicit substances. Key impact sessions were held at:
Niger State: Government Girls Science Secondary School, Tungan Magajiya.
Oyo State: Federal Government College, Odo Oru, Ogbomoso.
Jigawa State: Government Day Senior Secondary School, Fagam.
Cross River: Government Science College, Esuk Ekpoeyo.
Kano State: Government Junior Secondary School, Rumfa College.
Through these consistent formations, the Agency continues to build a robust culture of drug resistance within Nigeria’s academic institutions.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Seme, Lagos, Imo, Borno, Kano, Katsina, Taraba, Osun, and FCT Commands for their exceptional results in the past week’s arrests and seizures. He equally praised their counterparts across all national commands for maintaining a strategic equilibrium between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
Reflecting on the milestone arrest of Chidiebere after 13 years of evasion, Marwa affirmed that 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,” he added.
