The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has taken into custody Reginald Peter Chidiebere, a notorious drug kingpin who had been in hiding for 13 years, following the seizure of large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The drug lord was first arrested in 2013 over the shipment of cocaine into Nigeria and was subsequently arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court Lagos in charge no. FHC/L/187c/2923. He however jumped bail and went into hiding after the trial judge granted him bail in 2013 and has since remained at large.
In February 2024, his name featured prominently as one of the masterminds of the shipment of 49.70 kilograms heroin imported from South Africa following the interception of the consignment by NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Lagos airport.
A follow-up operation was carried out on 19th February 2024 at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites, located at No. 16/18 Reginald Peter Chidiebere Street, Hope Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos where an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin was recovered from one of his guests, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod. As a result, Chidiebere went underground. The agency however secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel and blocked all bank accounts traced to him since 2024.
Following these developments, Chidiebere could no longer sustain himself in hiding, prompting his surrender to the agency on 13th February 2026 and has since been taken into custody to face his pending charges for which he jumped bail in 2013 and fresh charges based on the 2024 heroin consignments linked to him.
The Chairman of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa, Rtd, reacting to Chidiebere’s arrest after 13 years on the run, stated that the agency remains committed to disbanding criminal networks and bringing all perpetrators to justice. He further commended the officers for their persistence and professionalism.
