By Amofokhai Williams
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested and repatriated fugitive drug kingpin Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, more than two years after he fled following the interception of 49.70 kilogrammes of heroin at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi said on Wednesday.
Babafemi disclosed that Ibewuike, 52, was one of three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia after operatives of the agency’s MMIA Strategic Command intercepted the consignment, described as the single largest heroin seizure ever recorded at the airport, during a coordinated 12-day operation in February 2024.
The drugs were concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Import Shed of the cargo terminal, he stated.
He revealed that Ibewuike had relocated to Mozambique, where he operated a hotel business as a front, while shuttling between that country and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in a bid to evade capture.
“The evasion ended on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, when he was arrested at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, following actionable intelligence,” Babafemi said.
“Working with INTERPOL offices in both Nigeria and Benin, NDLEA operatives took custody of him on Friday, 4 September, and conveyed him to Nigeria,” he added.
“On Saturday, 5 September, Ibewuike was taken to the agency’s Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified the parcels of heroin marked with the code “ND” that investigators linked to him,” Babafemi disclosed.
“During preliminary interviews, the suspect confirmed his identity and admitted he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike,” the director stated.
Babafemi noted that Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, routinely received drug-laden parcels marked “ND” on his behalf.
The February 2024 operation also led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate, the freezing of 107 bank accounts and the forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel.
“Those arrested were charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024,” he said.
Three suspects-Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline, have already been convicted and sentenced. Three others-Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene, remain on trial, while three, including Ibewuike himself, Osita Chidozie Cyril and one Arinze, were charged in absentia.
“Further investigation showed Ibewuike had earlier been linked to a separate drug case before Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/203C/2013, involving the seizure of 40.255 kilogrammes of methamphetamine. That case led to the conviction of one Chidi Ihedioha in 2023,” he stated.
Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described it as a major breakthrough.
“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,
“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 added.
The chairman commended the multinational cooperation that made the operation possible, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for facilitating a smooth transfer of custody.
