ABUJA – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested and repatriated a suspected drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, who had been on the run for over two years following the seizure of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Ibewuike was arrested at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence. He was subsequently handed over to NDLEA operatives on Friday, September 4, through the collaboration of the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus.
The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the suspect was thereafter brought back to Nigeria to face prosecution for his alleged role in the drug trafficking syndicate.
The 52-year-old suspect was among three persons declared wanted and charged in absentia after NDLEA operatives intercepted the 49.70kg consignment of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the airport’s cargo terminal in February 2024.
The operation, which lasted 12 days, also led to the arrest of key 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.
According to Babafemi, three suspects—Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline—have been convicted and sentenced by the Federal High Court, Lagos, while three others, including Confidence Ibewuike, remain on trial.
He said Ibewuike and two other suspects, Osita Chidozie Cyril and one Arinze, had been charged in absentia.
The suspect reportedly relocated to Mozambique, where he operated a hotel business as a cover, while allegedly travelling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to evade arrest.
During preliminary questioning, Ibewuike confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
He was taken to the NDLEA Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Saturday, September 5, where he formally identified the heroin parcels bearing the “ND” code, which investigators had linked to his network.
Babafemi further disclosed that investigation showed that Ibewuike had previously been associated with another drug case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Reacting to the arrest, the 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 apprehend fleeing drug kingpins.
Marwa said the arrest demonstrated that suspects who fled the country could not escape justice, warning those still at large that the agency would continue to pursue them.