crime

NDLEA Captures Notorious Drug Kingpin After 13 Years

Published

8 months ago

March 2, 2026

NDLEA captures drug kingpin Reginald Chidiebere after 13 years in hiding following seizures of cocaine, heroin, and other narcotics

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken into custody Reginald Peter Chidiebere, a notorious drug kingpin, following 13 years on the run.

The arrest came after large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him were seized at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Also read: NDLEA Launches Programme to Replace Illegal Cannabis Farming

Chidiebere, first apprehended in 2013 for cocaine trafficking, jumped bail and evaded authorities until recent operations revealed his involvement in multiple high-profile drug shipments.

In February 2024, NDLEA intercepted 49.70 kilograms of heroin imported from South Africa, implicating Chidiebere as a key orchestrator.

Further raids on February 19, 2024, at his Golden Platinum Hotel & Suites in Lagos led to the recovery of 2.20 kilograms of heroin from a guest, prompting Chidiebere to go underground.

NDLEA later froze his bank accounts and secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel.

Chidiebere surrendered to NDLEA on February 13, 2026, and now faces pending charges from 2013 alongside new allegations tied to the 2024 heroin shipments.

The agency also reported recent nationwide operations, including the dismantling of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Imo State, and the seizure of thousands of pills, cannabis, and codeine syrups in Lagos, Kano, Taraba, Katsina, and Borno States.

Also read: NDLEA Arrests 17 in Kano Drug Raids

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), commended officers for balancing drug supply reduction with demand reduction initiatives, underscoring the agency’s commitment to combating illicit narcotics.

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crime

Police Arrest 41-Year-Old Over Murder of Bayelsa Sand Dealer

Published

2 days ago

November 10, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 41-year-old man, Somkiemi Tommy, over the alleged murder of a sand business operator, Thankgod Kalaba, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Ani Iniedu, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Monday.

According to the police, Kalaba was allegedly murdered after visiting a river on October 29, 2026. His body was reportedly tied to a boat and submerged in the water.

Iniedu said the police began investigating the incident after receiving a report about the victim’s disappearance and suspected murder.

Preliminary findings reportedly indicated that the victim had been trailed and killed by Tommy.

The police spokesperson added that the suspect allegedly tied Kalaba’s body to a boat before submerging it in the river in an attempt to conceal the crime.

He said the suspect was arrested by police operatives working in collaboration with youths in Yenaka.

“Acting on the report, police operatives, in collaboration with Yenaka youths, successfully arrested the suspect,” Iniedu stated.

Tommy is currently in police custody, while the Criminal Investigation Department has commenced further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The police said the investigation would establish the events leading to Kalaba’s death and determine whether other individuals were involved.

The suspect is expected to face prosecution if the allegations are established by investigators.

The police have yet to disclose the motive behind the alleged murder.