NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Kingpin Linked to 49.70kg Heroin Haul
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated a 52-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, who had been on the run for more than two years over his alleged involvement in the trafficking of 49.70kg of heroin seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Ibewuike was arrested at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence obtained by the NDLEA.
The agency said the fugitive had relocated to Mozambique, where he operated a hotel business allegedly as a cover, while continuing efforts to evade Nigerian law enforcement.
His arrest followed a coordinated 12-day operation by operatives of the NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command in February 2024, which resulted in the interception of 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons containing metal-cutting machines at the import shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.
The seizure was described by the agency as the single largest heroin consignment ever intercepted at the Lagos international airport.
Ibewuike was one of three suspects declared wanted and subsequently charged in absentia in connection with the consignment. According to the NDLEA, other members of the syndicate were arrested during the operation, including his wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike.
The agency alleged that Confidence routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on behalf of her husband.
Investigations into the syndicate also resulted in the freezing of 107 bank accounts and the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the drug cartel.
The suspects were charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.
The NDLEA said three of the suspects in the case have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court. They are Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline.
Three other suspects – Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene – are still standing trial before the court.
Three others, including Ibewuike, were charged in absentia. The other two are Osita Chidozie Cyril and a suspect identified as Arinze.
For more than two years, Ibewuike allegedly moved between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to stay ahead of law enforcement authorities.
The NDLEA said his movements eventually came under surveillance following the development of actionable intelligence, leading to his arrest in Cotonou.
The agency subsequently worked with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his transfer.
A team of NDLEA operatives was deployed to Cotonou on Friday, September 4, to take custody of the suspect before conveying him to Nigeria to face prosecution over his alleged role in the trafficking syndicate.
During preliminary interviews, the suspect reportedly 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’s Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where the agency said he formally identified parcels of heroin bearing the “ND” code, which investigators had established were linked to him.
Further investigations also revealed that Ibewuike had previously been associated with another drug-related case before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The earlier case, charge number FHC/L/203C/2013, involved the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine and was presided over by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari. The case involved one Chidi Ihedioha, who was subsequently convicted by the court in 2023.
Reacting to the latest development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described Ibewuike’s arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to track down suspected drug kingpins who flee the country.
Marwa said the arrest demonstrated that suspects who flee Nigeria would not remain beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies.
“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.
According to him, the NDLEA would continue pursuing suspects linked to illicit drug trafficking regardless of how long they remained in hiding or how far they travelled.
“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,” Marwa said. “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.”
He warned other suspects still at large that the agency would continue its pursuit until they were brought before the law.
“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 said.
The NDLEA chief also commended the multinational cooperation that resulted in Ibewuike’s arrest and repatriation, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus.
The agency said the collaboration was instrumental in facilitating the smooth transfer of custody and bringing the suspect back to Nigeria to face the consequences of the allegations against him.
