The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin 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, Lagos.
The NDLEA disclosed this on Wednesday, saying Ibewuike was among three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia after the interception of what the agency described as the largest single heroin consignment ever recorded at the airport.
According to the agency, its operatives at the MMIA Strategic Command intercepted the consignment during a 12-day operation in February 2024.
The 49.70kg of heroin was concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the airport’s cargo terminal.
The operation led to the arrest of several alleged members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who the agency said routinely received parcels containing drugs and marked with the code “ND” on behalf of her husband.
The NDLEA said it also froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the syndicate.
Those arrested were subsequently charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.
The agency said three suspects — Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — had been convicted and sentenced by the court.
Three others — Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene — are still standing trial, while three suspects, including Ibewuike, were charged in absentia.
The other two suspects charged in absentia are Osita Chidozie Cyril and Arinze, according to the NDLEA.
The agency said Ibewuike remained at large for more than two years, allegedly moving between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to evade arrest.
His escape came to an end following actionable intelligence that led to his arrest at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026.
The NDLEA said it collaborated with INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his transfer, with its operatives travelling to Cotonou on September 4 to take custody of the suspect and return him to Nigeria.
During preliminary questioning, the 52-year-old suspect reportedly confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
On September 5, the agency said Ibewuike was taken to its Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified parcels of heroin bearing the “ND” code, which the NDLEA said had been linked to him.
Further investigation, according to the agency, revealed that Ibewuike had previously been associated with another drug-related case before the Federal High Court in Lagos involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine.
The case, presided over by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, was filed under charge number FHC/L/203C/2013 and involved a suspect identified as Chidi Ihedioha, who was convicted by the court in 2023.
Reacting to the arrest, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described it as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to track down suspected drug kingpins who flee the country.
“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.
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.
“Festus Ibewuike ran for over two years, hiding under a change of name and a new life abroad, but today he is back in Nigeria to answer for the 49.70kg heroin seizure linked to his network.
“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 commended the multinational cooperation that led to the suspect’s arrest and transfer, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for facilitating the handover.
