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.

Babafemi said that the suspect who was arrested 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.

“In February 2024, his name featured prominently as one of the masterminds of the shipment of 49.70 kilograms of heroin imported from South Africa.

“This followied he 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,”he said.

Babafemi said that the agency however, secured the interim forfeiture of his hotel and blocked all bank accounts traced to him since 2024.

According to him, following these 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.

Babafemi said that 18.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were recovered along with a large quantity of precursor chemicals and equipment used in the production of the illicit substance.

No fewer than four persons were killed in a stampede during the distribution of annual Ramadan alms at Kofar-Guga quarters, Katsina, the state’s Police Command has confirmed.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Aliyu Abubakar, described the incident as regrettable.

“The Police Command in Katsina regrets to report a stampede incident that occurred during the distribution of annual Ramadan alms at Kofar-Guga quarters, resulting in several people sustaining injuries,” it said on Sunday.

According to him, on Feb. 26, 2026, at about 9 p.m., a distress call was received at the Central Police Station in Katsina about a large crowd gathered at the residence of a philanthropist, situated at Kofar-Guga quarters, Katsina, resulting in a stampede incident.

“Upon receipt of the report, promptly, a team of policemen responded to the scene.

“The rescuers rushed the victims to the nearest hospital for medical attention.

“Unfortunately, four of the injured later succumbed to their injuries.”

The Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery as he directed for further investigation and necessary measures to prevent future occurrences.

He, however, said that the Command was calling on individuals who wish to distribute alms to the public to notify the command for adequate security coverage, so as to ensure safety of lives and property and orderliness during such events to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said that a truck laden with yams reportedly lost control and rammed into a stationary tricycle, killing one person and leaving three other occupants severely injured.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said the fatal road traffic collision occurred at Aiyetoro Junction by the traffic light corridor in Epe, Lagos.

“Preliminary findings reveal that the loaded truck (AGL 764 XB) coming from Ijebu-Ode, attempted a U-turn inward Eleko at the junction when the driver reportedly lost control and violently rammed into a stationary tricycle (SMK 127 QR).

“The devastating impact claimed one life and left three other occupants with severe injuries,” he said.

He said that LASTMA officials, in concert with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, and military personnel, successfully extricated three critically injured victims from the mangled wreckage.

He noted that the FRSC conveyed the deceased and the injured victims to the General Hospital, Epe, for medical attention and necessary procedures.

“Scurity agencies maintained order throughout the rescue operation and facilitated the restoration of traffic flow,” he said.

Bakare-Oki urged security authorities to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the underlying cause of the accident, with a view to ensuring that any individual found culpable faced the appropriate legal consequences.