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

Troops foil cattle rustling, recover over 500 cattle in Kaduna

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled a major cattle rustling operation and recovered more than 500 cattle in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation was conducted on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, following a distress call from residents over the activities of suspected terrorists at Rugar Mande Kurmin.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that troops immediately mobilised to the suspected withdrawal routes of the criminals and established blocking positions to prevent the rustlers from escaping with the animals.

The troops engaged the suspected terrorists from multiple positions, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and abandon the cattle.

The soldiers subsequently recovered over 500 rustled cattle from the area.

The recovered livestock were later handed over to their respective owners.

The successful operation further demonstrates the sustained efforts by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to protect lives and property while disrupting criminal activities and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.

The military has continued to intensify patrols and other offensive operations across vulnerable communities and routes in Kaduna and other parts of the North-West.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA urged members of the public to sustain their support for the security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and criminal activities.

The military said such collaboration remained critical to tracking criminal elements, preventing attacks and restoring lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area.

Troops foil cattle rustling, recover over 500 cattle in Kaduna

Troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP logistics suppliers, recover motorcycle parts in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested two suspected logistics suppliers to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, following credible human intelligence on the movement of logistics items believed to be destined for terrorist elements operating in the Yunusari-Mobbar axis.

According to a military intelligence source, troops of 159 Battalion, supported by the CJTF, swiftly mobilised a fighting patrol to the Gumsa area, where they intercepted the suspected logistics consignment and arrested two civilians.

The suspects were identified as Mala Mustapha, 50, and Massa Aliyu, 40, both natives of Asaye village in Damasak, Mobbar LGA.

Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects allegedly purchased motorcycle spare parts for terrorist elements believed to be hibernating between Yunusari and Mobbar general areas.

The operation led to the recovery of a large quantity of motorcycle components, including 50 motorcycle tyres, 10 crankshafts, 50 oil seals, 31 traffic indicators, 49 acceleration cables and 46 clutch cables.

Other items recovered included 20 spindles, 10 packs of bearings, 20 brake rods, 75 gaskets, 20 motorcycle brake shoes, 80 piston kits, 146 chains and sprockets, 11 speedometers and 15 clutch plates.

The troops also recovered piston rings, rocker arms, CDI units, shock rubbers, coils, Danpa rubbers, rectifiers, fuel taps, fuel filters, PAG valves, hand pumps and ignition keys, among other motorcycle spare parts.

Also recovered were 145 pairs of footwear, which investigators are examining as part of the suspected logistics consignment.

The security forces further recovered two Tecno Android phones, one small Tecno phone and N3,200 in cash from the suspects.

The suspects and the recovered items have been handed over to 27 Military Intelligence Regiment (27 MIR) for further investigation and appropriate action.

The latest operation underscores the increasing focus by troops on disrupting the logistics networks that sustain terrorist groups in the North-East.

By intercepting supplies before they reach terrorist hideouts, security forces are seeking to restrict the mobility and operational capacity of the insurgents operating across the border communities and remote areas of Borno.

Military sources said troops remain on alert and are sustaining intelligence-led operations against terrorist elements and their collaborators across the theatre.

The security situation in the area remains fluid, while the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high, according to the military.

Troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP logistics suppliers, recover motorcycle parts in Borno