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NDLEA Apprehends Long Wanted Drug Kingpin After 13 Years In Hiding
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Reginald Peter Chidiebere, a high-profile drug kingpin who had been on the run since 2013, following the seizure of large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him.
The NDLEA in a statement, said that Chidiebere was arrested after operatives uncovered drug shipments connected to him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“After 13 years in hiding, a notorious drug kingpin Reginald Peter Chidiebere has been taken into custody following the seizure of large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.” the agency stated.
The NDLEA said the suspect was first arrested in 2013 over the shipment of cocaine into Nigeria and was later arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/187c/2923. He was granted bail but jumped bail shortly after and went into hiding, remaining at large for years.
“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,” the agency said.
A follow-up operation was carried out on February 19, 2024, at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites located at No. 16/18 Reginald Peter Chidiebere Street, Hope Estate, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos. During the operation, 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 stated.
The agency later secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel and blocked all bank accounts traced to him since 2024.
The NDLEA explained that the suspect later surrendered himself after he could no longer survive on the run.
“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 agency said.
Meanwhile, a clandestine drug laboratory in Imo State was dismantled by the NDLEA operatives on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area, where 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were recovered along with large quantities of precursor chemicals and equipment used for drug production.
At the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a Togolese woman, Hadiza Musa, on Friday, February 27, after she concealed 5,000 pills of tramadol in her luggage. In another operation, 1,040 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from an uncompleted building at Akodo village, Seaside Eleko, along the Ibeju-Lekki axis of Lagos on Wednesday, February 25.
In Kano State, a suspect, Ashiru Bala, 45, was arrested at Lambu, Tafa LGA, with 1,499 bottles of codeine syrup while conveying the consignment in a Volkswagen Golf car marked CA 911 ABC.
Another suspect, Yahaya Usaini, 21, was arrested on Friday, February 27, while transporting 87.4 kilograms of skunk in a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number KUJ 544 RL along the Zaria–Dutsinma road in Katsina State.
The NDLEA also said that no fewer than 637,600 pills of opioids including tramadol, diazepam and exol-5 were recovered on Thursday, February 26, when operatives intercepted a Mercedes-Benz vehicle marked KWL-607DC along Bali–Suntai road while conveying the drugs to Baruwa in Gashaka LGA, Taraba State. A similar operation at Lankaviri Yorro led to the arrest of Musa Usman, 27, and the seizure of 126.022 kilograms of skunk.
In Abuja, 499.2 kilograms of skunk were recovered at Dei-Dei area of Abuja on Wednesday, February 25, while a suspect, Bulama Modu, 24, was intercepted in a commercial vehicle conveying 7,000 capsules of tramadol along Bama–Konduga road in Borno State on Tuesday, February 24.
While commending officers across commands, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), praised their efforts for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
News
MC Oluomo Retakes NURTW Secretariat In Abuja Following Clashes
Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has regained control of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) national secretariat in Abuja.
This follows a highly volatile 24-hour period marked by a leadership struggle between MC Oluomo and a rival faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa.
MC Oluomo returned to the secretariat to inspect damaged property following the takeover, according to a video shared by TVC on X.
The development followed an earlier move on Monday by a faction led by Tajudeen Baruwa, which occupied the secretariat, claiming that court rulings supported its action.
Baruwa, who addressed journalists after the occupation, maintained that his faction acted within the law and in line with court decisions.
“Their body language has not been encouraging despite repeated assurance that we are not going back to foment any trouble, as we are a law-abiding union whose only mission is to get back what belongs to us,” he said.
“But today, as you can see, we are taking over in a peaceful manner, and it is not a forceful takeover but just carrying out the court’s orders,” he added.
He said the police had been formally notified and provided with copies of the judgments but alleged that the response was not encouraging.
“Again, please be aware that our coming here after two years is to occupy our office, having obtained judgments at both the lower court and the Appeal Court, but they refused to obey court orders after waiting for about two years. We decided to resume at the office today without causing any violence, and here we are,” he said.
Baruwa also alleged that one of his members was attacked during the process.
“Although the other faction attacked one of our members, who is now in the hospital, the situation is under control. We are still open to reconciliation as we are a lawful organisation and not a troublemaker. No one is above the law,” Baruwa stated.
Reacting on Monday via his Instagram page, MC Oluomo described the development as a “forceful takeover” and insisted that legal proceedings were still ongoing.
He said he was not a defendant in the judgment cited by Baruwa and disclosed that the ruling had been appealed, with a stay of execution already secured.
“The National President wishes to inform members of the union and the general public that he was not a defendant in the purported judgment.
“The judgment has been appealed, and a stay of execution has been duly entered. He has not engaged with Mr Baruwa or any individual, aware that cases are pending in court.
“The situation is under the control of security agencies. Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya remains the National President of NURTW,” the statement read.
Akinsanya urged union members to remain calm and law-abiding as the leadership dispute continues.
Tribune Online reports that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Monday arrested Baruwa and six others following the incident.
News
Biola Bayo Deletes Baba Ijesha Interview From All Platforms After Nigerians React
Nollywood actress and podcaster Biola Bayo (Abiola Adebayo) has deleted her controversial interview with convicted actor Baba Ijesha from her Instagram and YouTube channels following intense public backlash.
The decision to take down the content came after Nigerians criticized the platforming of a convicted child molester, accusing Bayo of helping him downplay his crimes and “reopen wounds” for the victim.
In the now-deleted interview, Baba Ijesha addressed the story behind the se,xual assault that led to his conviction.
He insisted that he is neither a rap!st nor a pedophile, maintaining his innocence despite the controversy surrounding the case and serving a JAIL TERM.
During the conversation, the actor also expressed disappointment towards Damilola Adekoya, also known as Comedian Princess, accusing her of betraying those close to her.
He further spoke about Iyabo Ojo, stating that he felt hurt by her reaction to the situation.
The interview quickly sparked outrage online, with many criticizing both the actor’s remarks and Biola Bayo’s decision to host the conversation.
As the backlash intensified, the actress has now removed the video from her YouTube channel and restricted access to it on her Instagram page.
News
El-Rufai Denied Immediate Release; Bail Hearing Set For March 31
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai will remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after a Federal High Court in Kaduna adjourned his bail application to March 31, 2026.
El-Rufai was brought before the court on Tuesday over charges bordering on conversion of public property and money laundering.
The charges were preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He was brought to court by security operatives at about 9:00 am in a Hilux vehicle and was held in the car for about 25 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom about 10 minutes later.
Security operatives were stationed in and around the court premises ahead of the hearing.
During the court proceedings, Ukpon Akpan, counsel to el-Rufai, asked the court to grant bail to his client to allow him prepare for his defense.
The argument was rejected by the prosecution counsel who argued that the bail could interfere with the commission’s investigation.
The former governor has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Since el-Rufai’s arrest, there have been several calls for his release or arraignment.
In ICPC custody, the former governor refused to respond to questions posed by investigators, citing his right to remain silent.
On March 5, the magistrate court extended the initial remand order for el-Rufai by another 14 days.
El-Rufai had filed a fundamental rights suit before the federal high court in Abuja over the search conducted on his residence by the ICPC and the remand order issued on February 19.
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