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49.7kg Heroin: NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Kingpin After Two Years on the Run

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49.7kg Heroin: NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Kingpin After Two Years on the Run

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had been on the run for more than two years following the seizure of 49.7 kilogrammes of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Ibewuike, 52, was arrested at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence and coordinated efforts between the NDLEA and INTERPOL authorities in Nigeria and Benin.

He was subsequently handed over to NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on September 4 and brought back to Nigeria to face prosecution over his alleged role in the trafficking syndicate behind what the agency described as the largest single heroin consignment ever intercepted at the Lagos airport.

The suspect had reportedly relocated to Mozambique, where he operated a hotel business allegedly used as a cover, while making efforts to evade Nigerian law enforcement by moving between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic.

His arrest followed a 12-day operation by operatives of the NDLEA MMIA Strategic Command in February 2024, during which 49.70kg of heroin was intercepted at the airport’s cargo terminal.

The spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Wednesday, said the drugs were concealed in cartons containing metal-cutting machines and marked with the code “ND”. Investigations subsequently linked the parcels to Ibewuike, who allegedly operated through members of a wider trafficking network.

The operation led to the arrest of several members of the syndicate, including his wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who investigators said routinely received drug-laden consignments on his behalf.

He said the agency also secured the freezing of 107 bank accounts and forfeiture of properties allegedly connected to the cartel.

He revealed that the suspects were charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.

He said theee suspects — Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court.

He further noted others — Chidiebere Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka and Igbokwuputa Onyinye — are still standing trial, while Ibewuike Festus, Osita Chidozie Cyril and another suspect identified as Arinze were charged in absentia.

Following his repatriation, Ibewuike reportedly confirmed his identity during preliminary interviews and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.

On September 5, he was taken to the NDLEA Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified the heroin parcels bearing the “ND” code, which the agency said had been established as being linked to him.

Further investigation also uncovered his alleged connection to an earlier drug case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine.

The earlier case was prosecuted before the Federal High Court, Lagos, under Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari in charge number FHC/L/203C/2013. One Chidi Ihedioha, who was prosecuted in connection with the case, was convicted by the court in 2023.

Reacting to the latest development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), described Ibewuike’s arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s campaign against fleeing drug kingpins.

Marwa warned drug traffickers who flee the country to escape prosecution that international borders would not shield them from justice.

“This arrest is a major breakthrough in our resolve to track down and bring to justice every drug baron who thinks that fleeing Nigeria’s shores puts them beyond the reach of the law,” he said.

He added: “As I have always vowed, the long arm of the NDLEA will catch up with anyone involved in this illicit trade, no matter how long it takes or how far they run.”

According to him, Ibewuike’s more than two-year flight, including his alleged change of identity and relocation abroad, had not prevented the agency from tracking him down.

“This should serve as a fresh warning to fleeing suspects still at large: the Agency will not relent until every one of you is brought to book,” Marwa said.

The NDLEA chairman commended the multinational cooperation that facilitated the arrest and transfer, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus, for their role in ensuring the smooth handover of the suspect.

The agency said the development further demonstrated its determination to pursue suspected drug traffickers beyond Nigeria’s borders and ensure that fleeing suspects are eventually brought before the law.

49.7kg Heroin: NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Kingpin After Two Years on the Run

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Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle

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Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension has been reported along the Alohom–Sabon Gari axis of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following an attack in which two Fulani men reportedly sustained gunshot wounds, while more than 70 cattle belonging to a Fulani resident were allegedly rustled.

However, beyond the reported shooting and cattle rustling, what has raised further concern is an allegation by some Fulani residents who witnessed the incident that they were attacked by security personnel on armored vehicle and hilux.

According to an eyewitness, “When we first heard sporadic gunshots, we attempted to run away. We then noticed that they were our security personnel in black a Hilux vehicle. The vehicle quickly withdrew after firing two shots and later returned. We then saw an armoured vehicles. Some people told us to run, but I said no, believing they had come to protect us. Before we knew it, they opened fire on us, forcing us to scamper for safety.”

The allegation, which has yet to be independently verified, has added another layer of concern to an already sensitive security situation in the area, where residents continue alleged that they are being attacked by elements of the security personnel amidst the violence between farmers and herders clashes. While we saw them rustling all our cattle. The missing cattle were reportedly owned by Alhaji Yako, a Fulani resident of the area.

On two occasions, fulani leaders pointed accusing fingers at the personnel of Operation Rainbow who in collaboration with armed militia groups stormed fulani communities to dislodge them and rustle their livestock. In another leaked conversation, a councilor in Plateau was heard saying that “We now have our own security people who are helping us to clear the Fulani. So we dont even need soldiers, they should leave our land,”the councilor was heard saying in a leaked audio.

Tension in Mangu as Fulani Herdsmen Allege Attack by Security Forces After Gunmen Wound Two, Rustle 70 Cattle

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Army troops Arrests Arms Fabricator, Three Suspected Gunrunners, Recovers Weapons in Plateau

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Army troops Arrests Arms Fabricator, Three Suspected Gunrunners, Recovers Weapons in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested an alleged illegal arms fabricator and three suspected high-profile gunrunners during coordinated covert operations in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation followed intelligence received by the Headquarters of OPEP on Oct. 4, indicating the activities of suspected illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners operating in the two local government areas.

Consequently, troops conducted coordinated covert operations between Oct. 7 and Oct. 11, targeting the suspected criminal networks and their operational locations.

During the operations, the troops arrested an alleged arms fabricator identified as Ayuba Sunday Abot, who was reportedly operating at Heipang in Barkin Ladi LGA.

Three other suspects identified as Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang were also arrested over their alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs.

The operation led to the recovery of several weapons, ammunition and other items suspected to be connected with the alleged arms-trafficking activities.

Items recovered included one fabricated revolver rifle, one fabricated pistol, one fabricated AK-47 barrel and one AK-47 magazine.

The troops also recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm × 54mm rimmed ball ammunition and some materials described in the operational report as metaphysical items.

Preliminary interrogation of the suspects reportedly indicated that they purchased ammunition at ₦3,000 per round from a security agents.

Security sources said the suspects and all recovered items had been taken to the Headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace for further investigation.

The arrests form part of ongoing security efforts to dismantle illegal arms networks and disrupt the supply of weapons and ammunition to criminal elements operating in Plateau State.

Army troops Arrests Arms Fabricator, Three Suspected Gunrunners, Recovers Weapons in Plateau

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Four cows shot by Berom Militia in targeted attack Dorowa Babuje, Plateau

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Four cows shot by Berom Militia in targeted attack Dorowa Babuje, Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama
Four cows belonging to Alhaji Isa were reportedly shot dead by Berom militia at Dorowan Babuje in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, raising fresh concerns over the safety of livestock and property in the area.

The incident is expected to be investigated by security agencies to establish what happened and identify those responsible.

Residents and relevant stakeholders have been urged to support efforts to establish the facts surrounding the incident and provide useful information to the authorities.

Four cows shot by Berom Militia in targeted attack Dorowa Babuje, Plateau

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