Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a long-wanted international drug trafficking suspect, Reginald Peter Chidiebere, who evaded capture for 13 years after jumping bail in a cocaine importation case.
The arrest followed sustained investigations that linked him to large-scale heroin consignments intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed in a statement on Sunday, March 1, 2026, that Chidiebere surrendered to the agency on February 13, 2026, after years in hiding and is now in custody.
Chidiebere was first arrested in 2013 for importing cocaine into Nigeria and arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, under charge number FHC/L/187c/2923.
Granted bail later that year, he allegedly absconded and remained at large for over a decade.
Investigations into his network continued, leading to a major breakthrough in February 2024 when NDLEA operatives intercepted 49.70 kilograms of heroin imported from South Africa at the Lagos airport import shed.
Chidiebere was identified as a key mastermind behind the shipment.
On February 19, 2024, NDLEA raided his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites at No. 16/18 Reginald Peter Chidiebere Street, Hope Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, recovering an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin from a hotel guest, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod.
Chidiebere reportedly went deeper underground after the raid.
The NDLEA secured an interim forfeiture order on the hotel, suspected of being used as a cover for drug operations, and blocked all bank accounts traced to him in 2024.
The financial clampdown and asset forfeiture reportedly made it unsustainable for him to remain in hiding, leading to his surrender.
He now faces the pending charges from 2013 for which he jumped bail, as well as fresh charges related to the 2024 heroin consignments linked to him.
The agency described the arrest as a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks operating through Nigerian airports.
