NDLEA arrests, repatriates fugitive kingpin linked to 49.7kg heroin shipment
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had evaded arrest for more than two years after the interception of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday that Ibewuike was arrested at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026, following intelligence and collaboration between the NDLEA and INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin.
Babafemi said the 52-year-old suspect was subsequently handed over to NDLEA operatives who travelled to Cotonou on September 4 before he was conveyed to Nigeria to face prosecution over his alleged role in the drug trafficking syndicate.
He said Ibewuike had relocated to Mozambique, where he operated a hotel business as a front, and travelled between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
“His arrest followed a 12-day operation by operatives of the agency’s MMIA Strategic Command in February 2024, which led to the interception of 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the import shed of the airport’s cargo terminal,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesperson described the seizure as the largest single heroin consignment ever recorded at the Lagos airport.
According to him, Ibewuike was one of three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia in connection with the seizure.
“His wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, was among those arrested after the operation and was accused of routinely receiving drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf,” he added.
“The investigation also resulted in the freezing of 107 bank accounts and forfeiture of properties linked to the alleged cartel.
“The suspects were charged before Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, a judge of the federal high vourt in Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge No. FHC/L/205C/2024.
“Three suspects, Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court.”
He said 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.
Babafemi said during preliminary interviews after his return to Nigeria, Ibewuike confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
“On September 5, he was taken to the NDLEA’s central exhibit store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified the heroin parcels bearing the “ND” code which the agency said had been linked to him,” he said.
He added that further investigation showed that Ibewuike had previously been associated with another drug-related case before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“The case, filed under charge No. FHC/L/203C/2013 and presided over by Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, involved the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine. One Chidi Ihedioha, who was linked to the case, was convicted by the court in 2023,” he said.
Reacting to Ibewuike’s arrest, Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, described it as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to track down fleeing drug suspects.
“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,” Marwa said.
Marwa said the arrest should serve as a warning to other suspects still at large, adding that the agency would continue to pursue them regardless of where they fled.
He also commended the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for their role in facilitating the suspect’s transfer.
