By Saminu Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated a suspected drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, who had been on the run for more than two years following the seizure of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Ibewuike, 52, was arrested at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence and collaboration between the NDLEA and INTERPOL offices in Nigeria and Benin.
He was handed over to NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on Friday, September 4, and subsequently brought to Nigeria to face prosecution over his alleged role in the drug trafficking syndicate.
The suspect was one of three persons declared wanted and charged in absentia after NDLEA operatives at the MMIA Strategic Command, during a 12-day operation in February 2024, intercepted 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the airport’s cargo terminal.
The seizure was described as the largest single heroin consignment ever intercepted at the Lagos airport.
The operation led to the arrest of several members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who allegedly received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf.
The agency also froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the cartel.
The suspects were charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.
Three suspects — Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — have so far been convicted and sentenced.
Three others — Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene — are still standing trial, while Ibewuike Festus, Osita Chidozie Cyril and another suspect identified as Arinze were charged in absentia.
For more than two years, Ibewuike allegedly moved between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an effort to evade arrest. In Mozambique, he reportedly operated a hotel business as a cover.
During preliminary questioning, Ibewuike confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
On Saturday, September 5, he was taken to the NDLEA Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified the parcels of heroin bearing the “ND” code allegedly linked to his network.
Further investigation also linked Ibewuike to an earlier drug case before the Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari. The case, filed under charge number FHC/L/203C/2013, involved the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine and one Chidi Ihedioha, who was convicted in 2023.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the development as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to track down fleeing drug kingpins.
Marwa said the arrest demonstrated that suspects who flee the country would not remain beyond the reach of Nigerian law enforcement.
He commended the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for their cooperation in facilitating the transfer of custody.
The NDLEA chairman warned other fleeing suspects still at large that the agency would continue its pursuit until they were brought to justice.
