Crime
NDLEA Ends 13-Year Manhunt as Drug Kingpin Surrenders, Major Meth Lab Busted
NDLEA Ends 13-Year Manhunt as Drug Kingpin Surrenders, Major Meth Lab Busted
By: Michael Mike
After more than a decade on the run, a fugitive drug baron has finally fallen into the hands of the authorities, marking what anti-narcotics officials describe as a decisive blow against organised drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed that Reginald Chidiebere, wanted since 2013 after absconding while on bail over cocaine trafficking charges, surrendered to operatives on 13 February 2026. His capitulation brings to a close a 13-year pursuit that had seen him repeatedly linked to high-volume heroin imports through Lagos.
According to a statement on Sunday by spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Chidiebere was initially arrested in 2013 and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos. However, after securing bail, he vanished, frustrating prosecution efforts and remaining at large despite intelligence linking him to fresh trafficking operations.
Babafemi said Chidiebere name resurfaced prominently in February 2024 when NDLEA officers intercepted 49.7 kilogrammes of heroin imported from South Africa at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja.
He said a follow-up raid on his hotel property in Okota yielded an additional 2.2 kilogrammes of heroin recovered from a guest. Authorities subsequently secured an interim forfeiture order on the hotel and froze bank accounts traced to him, tightening the net around the fugitive businessman.
Babafemi said under mounting operational pressure and financial constraints following asset seizures, Chidiebere ultimately surrendered, and now in custody and expected to face both the original charges he fled in 2013 and fresh counts relating to the 2024 heroin consignments.
The arrest formed part of a week of sweeping enforcement actions across several states, underscoring what the agency described as a strategy of sustained disruption against supply chains.
In Imo State, operatives dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory concealed in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, within Njaba Local Government Area. The raid led to the recovery of 18.4 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, alongside precursor chemicals and production equipment — evidence of a growing domestic manufacturing capability that security experts have warned could deepen Nigeria’s exposure to synthetic drug markets.
Elsewhere, enforcement efforts yielded substantial seizures. At the Seme border in Badagry, a Togolese national was intercepted with 5,000 tramadol tablets concealed in luggage. In the Ibeju-Lekki axis of Lagos, officers recovered 1,040 kilogrammes of skunk from an unfinished building.
Significant opioid consignments were also intercepted in Taraba State, where intelligence-led operations uncovered 637,600 pills including tramadol and diazepam concealed in a vehicle bound for Gashaka Local Government Area. Additional cannabis seizures were recorded in Katsina, Osun, Kano, Borno and the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised officers across the various commands for what he described as their persistence and professionalism. He stressed that the agency would continue to pursue traffickers regardless of how long they attempt to evade justice.
He said: “The agency remains resolute in dismantling criminal networks and bringing all offenders to justice,” pointing to the kingpin’s eventual surrender as proof that sustained enforcement pressure yields results.
Beyond interdictions, the agency reported continued implementation of its War Against Drug Abuse advocacy campaign in secondary schools across several states, aimed at balancing supply reduction with demand reduction initiatives.
NDLEA Ends 13-Year Manhunt as Drug Kingpin Surrenders, Major Meth Lab Busted
Troops Arrest Suspect Over Killing of More Than 50 Cattle in Edo
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested a suspected criminal linked to the killing of more than 50 cattle belonging to Fulani herders in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Security sources said that the suspect was arrested at about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday following credible intelligence on his whereabouts.
According to the sources, troops of 4 Brigade operating from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Uromi apprehended the suspect at his residence in Oloshi Main Town.
The suspect had reportedly been on the run since May 31, when he allegedly led an attack that resulted in the killing of over 50 cattle in the Oloshi general area.
The sources said the arrest was made after sustained efforts by security agencies to track down those involved in the incident.
Following his arrest, the suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security agencies have assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals connected to the attack.
Troops Arrest Suspect Over Killing of More Than 50 Cattle in Edo
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Two AK-47 Rifles in Magumeri Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducting an ongoing operation in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno have arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles from them.
Sources involved in the operation disclosed on Friday that the suspects were apprehended during a targeted security operation ahead of Magumeri town.
According to the sources, the operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 assault rifles believed to have been used by the suspects in criminal activities within the area.
The sources further revealed that preliminary interrogation of the suspects had yielded valuable intelligence that could assist security agencies in tracking and arresting other members of the kidnapping network.
“The suspects have provided useful information that can aid further operations and lead to the arrest of additional members of the criminal syndicate,” the source said.
The arrests are part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle kidnapping and other criminal networks operating in parts of Borno State.
Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the operation, while investigations and follow-up actions are continuing.
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Two AK-47 Rifles in Magumeri Borno
Police Rescue Six Kidnap Victims, Recover Stolen Motorcycle in Zamfara
By Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command have rescued six kidnapped victims and recovered a stolen motorcycle following a gun battle with armed bandits along the Anka–Gurusu Road in Zamfara State.
The command said the operation was carried out at about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday by personnel of the Violence Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) during ongoing anti-banditry operations.
According to the police, the operatives received credible intelligence that heavily armed bandits had blocked the Anka–Gurusu Road and abducted six travellers along with their two motorcycles while they were travelling from Mayanchi village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara to Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Acting on the information, the police team mobilised to the area and tracked the bandits to their hideout.
Upon contact, the suspects reportedly engaged the operatives in a gun duel.
The police said the operatives responded with superior firepower, forcing the bandits to flee into the surrounding forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
As a result of the operation, all six abducted victims were rescued unhurt, while one of the stolen motorcycles was recovered.
The second motorcycle was, however, taken away by the fleeing bandits.
The command said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the suspects as well as recover the remaining motorcycle.
The Zamfara State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling banditry and other violent crimes across the state and urged residents to continue providing timely and actionable information to security agencies.
Police Rescue Six Kidnap Victims, Recover Stolen Motorcycle in Zamfara
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