NDLEA to rearraign arrested drug kingpin after 13 years in hiding
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has taken into custody a suspected notorious drug kingpin following the seizure of large consignments of cocaine and heroin linked to him..
This is contained in a statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.
Mr Babafemi said that the suspect nabbed after 13 years in hiding was arrested by the NDLEA Operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.
He said that 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 also said that the suspect however, jumped bail and went into hiding after the trial judge granted him bail in 2013 and has since remained at large.
He stated, “In February 2024, his name featured prominently as one of the masterminds of the shipment of 49.70 kilograms heroin imported from South Africa.
“This followed the interception of the consignment by NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Lagos airport. 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.
“This is where an additional 2.20 kilograms of heroin was recovered from one of his guests, Igbuanugo Ebuka ThankGod. As a result, Chidiebere went underground.”
Mr Babafemi said that the agency however, secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel and blocked bank accounts traced to him since 2024.
According to him, following the developments, the suspect could no longer sustain himself in hiding, prompting his surrender to the agency on February 13, 2026.
He said, “And he 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.”
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Imo State on Wednesday, February 25, dismantled a clandestine laboratory tucked in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka, Njaba local government area of the state.
Mr Babafemi said that 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were recovered along with large quantity of precursor chemicals and equipment used in the production of the illicit substance.
(NAN)
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