The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Trafficking

  • NDLEA Warns Nigerians Against Accepting Unknown Cargoes From Abroad

    NDLEA Warns Nigerians Against Accepting Unknown Cargoes From Abroad

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has cautioned Nigerians against collecting or receiving consolidated consignments from relatives, friends or associates abroad without knowing exactly what the packages contain.

    The agency warned that some Nigerians overseas are allegedly using consolidated cargoes to send illicit drugs into the country while listing unsuspecting family members and friends as consignees.

    The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, issued the warning in a post on X on Sunday, urging Nigerians to exercise caution before agreeing to receive packages on behalf of people abroad.

    According to Babafemi, substances identified as Colorado and Loud, both strains of cannabis, have been discovered in some of the consignments.

    He said recipients who have no knowledge of the contents could still face arrest and prosecution if illegal drugs are found in packages bearing their names.

    Babafemi wrote, “RED ALERT! The new thing now is that some of our ‘abroad’ people are sending home consolidated cargoes contaminated with illicit drugs especially Colorado and Loud, putting their family members and friends as consignees or recipients.”

    He advised Nigerians who were not involved in drug trafficking to decline requests to receive consignments where the contents were unknown.

    He added, “The warning here is, if you’re not part of the syndicate, don’t accept to receive consignments on behalf of your ‘abroad’ brother or sister or friend particularly if you don’t know the full content of the consignment.”

    Babafemi further warned that several people had already been arrested in similar circumstances, noting that NDLEA operatives continued to uncover such consignments during their operations.

    “Many are already behind bars for this and the number keeps increasing with daily operations by @ndlea_nigeria officers. Please heed this warning and save yourself of the jail experience,” he said.

    The warning was accompanied by video footage showing NDLEA operatives opening large black plastic-wrapped packages on a metal table.

    The footage showed clear plastic bags containing yellowish, lumpy substances suspected to be cannabis products being removed from the consignments.

    The latest warning comes as the NDLEA continues its efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks and prevent illicit substances from being brought into Nigeria through various routes.

  • 49.7kg Heroin: NDLEA Arrest Drug Kingpin After Two Years on the Run 

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

    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 in 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 the 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 everyone 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. This Day

  • NIS Deports 99 Foreigners Over Irregular Migration in Two Months

    NIS Deports 99 Foreigners Over Irregular Migration in Two Months

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has repatriated 99 foreigners for irregular migration between July and August 2026, according to its latest operational report prepared for the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    The report states that 90 foreigners were sent back to their home countries in July, while nine others were deported in August. Irregular migration was identified as the primary reason for these actions.

    “90 foreigners were recorded as repatriated in July, while nine were recorded in August. The cases primarily involved irregular migration, with the July records including nationals of Cameroon (33), Niger (four), Pakistan (15), Côte d’Ivoire (38), Burkina Faso (two), Chad (four), Central African Republic (two) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (one),” the report stated.

    Additionally, the NIS rescued 23 victims of human trafficking and exploitation during this period. Seven victims were rescued in July across cases involving Thailand, Mali, Egypt, and domestic locations, while 16 victims were saved in August.

    These operations took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Seme Border, Baji Patrol Post, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), and other locations.

    Several of the rescued victims were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for care and further investigation. Immigration officers also arrested one stowaway at the MMIA in August.

    “Seven victims were recorded as rescued in July and 16 in August. The records include interventions at MMIA, Seme Border, Baji Patrol Post, NAIA and other locations, with some victims handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

    One stowaway was recorded as apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in August 2026. Twenty-three victims were recorded as rescued across July and August.

    July interventions accounted for seven victims, including cases involving Thailand, Mali, Egypt and domestic locations. August interventions accounted for 16 victims, including cases intercepted at Seme Border, MMIA, NAIA and Baji Patrol Post,” the report detailed.

    The agency also identified four persons of interest, consisting of three in July and one in August.

    “The August case involved a potential trafficking victim who was referred to NAPTIP,” the report added.

    Furthermore, the NIS dismantled a fraudulent transnational organized crime syndicate linked to the QNET/Ignite group, resulting in the arrest of the syndicate leaders and 11 facilitators in Lagos and Ogun states.

    The service stated that these interventions are part of its efforts to strengthen border security, regulate migration, and combat transnational organized crime.

    The report concluded that detecting document fraud, conducting enforcement operations, making arrests, and pursuing prosecutions are vital measures to safeguard Nigeria’s borders, prevent migrant exploitation, ensure effective migration management, and support national security.

  • NAPTIP prosecutes notorious human trafficker (mama bobby)

    NAPTIP prosecutes notorious human trafficker (mama bobby)

     

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has commenced the prosecution of a notorious trafficker of Nigerian young women from Nigeria to Spain, Patricia Igbinovia (aka Mama Bobby).

     

    The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, disclosed this on Thursday at a virtual meeting with stakeholders and partners of the agency to mark her first 100 days in office.

     

    This is according to a statement by the agency’s Press Officer, Adekoye Vincent, titled ‘NAPTIP commences prosecution of Spain-based Nigerian trafficker.’

     

    According to the DG, Igbinavia was arrested in a sting operation in Lagos when she sneaked into the country.

     

    She also revealed that NAPTIP operatives had trailed the trafficker for a long time; and arranged for the detention of two of her gang members in Spain.

    She said “The suspect has also been arraigned before Justice C. J. Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos in the charge marked Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Patricia Ekhoe Igbinovia (Aka Mama Bobby, Aka Audu Mariam Olayemi, FHC/L/345c/2021.

     

    “She has also been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service while the matter is adjourned to January 17, 2022, for commencement of trial.

     

     

     

    “This is the first time NAPTIP would be prosecuting a case where evidence from another country transmitted to Nigeria through Mutual Legal Assistance, is used to arrest the target and case filed in court.”

     

    The DG explained that the prosecution is being supported by the British and Spanish authorities through the Mutual Legal Assistance between Nigeria and the other two countries.

     

    The Igbinovia case is coming just as the agency has also commenced the prosecution of an official of a law enforcement agency involved in the trafficking of young persons to other countries.

     

    According to the DG, the ongoing prosecutions are in line with NAPTIP’s renewed strategy for enhanced prosecution of high–profile traffickers and cases of violence against persons in Nigeria.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com