‎NDLEA dismantles methamphetamine laboratory in Imo, arrests notorious drug kingpin after 13 years on the run

‎March 2, 2026: Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Isiozi Obiato, Umuaka in the Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, seizing a large quantity of hard drugs and arresting a long-wanted drug baron, the agency announced in a statement.
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‎The covert facility was uncovered and destroyed on February 25, 2026, during a targeted operation by NDLEA officers.
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‎At the site, agents recovered 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with precursor chemicals and specialized equipment believed to have been used in the production of the illicit substance.
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‎NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the development on Sunday, highlighting the significance of the operation in the agency’s ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal drug production networks across the country.
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‎In a related breakthrough, the agency also apprehended Reginald Peter Chidiebere, a notorious drug kingpin who had remained at large for 13 years. Chidiebere was first arrested in 2013 for his alleged involvement in cocaine trafficking and was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
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‎After being granted bail, he jumped police supervision and evaded capture for over a decade.
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‎According to NDLEA, Chidiebere’s name earlier resurfaced in connection with the interception of nearly 50 kilograms of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos in 2024, where officers also seized additional consignments linked to his alleged drug syndicate.
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‎Faced with renewed pressure, NDLEA said Chidiebere ultimately surrendered to authorities on February 13, 2026.
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‎He is currently in custody and is expected to face trial on the original charges alongside fresh accusations tied to the heroin shipments.
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‎The dual successes in Imo and Lagos mark a notable achievement in Nigeria’s fight against organized drug production and trafficking, underscoring the NDLEA’s intensified enforcement efforts nationwide.