By Kingsley Omonobi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, 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 interception of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.
The NDLEA disclosed this on Wednesday, saying Ibewuike was one of three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia following the interception of what the agency described as the single largest 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 import shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.
The operation led to the arrest of key members of the alleged syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who the agency said routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on behalf of her husband.
The NDLEA said the operation also resulted in the freezing of 107 bank accounts and 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 so far 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 charged in absentia are Osita Chidozie Cyril and Arinze, according to the NDLEA.
The agency said Ibewuike remained a fugitive for more than two years, allegedly moving between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to evade arrest.
His run, however, ended following actionable intelligence that led to his arrest at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026.
The NDLEA said it worked with INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his transfer, with a team of 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, 2026, 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 agency said had been linked to him.
Further investigation, according to the NDLEA, 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, which was 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 arrest and transfer of the suspect, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for facilitating the handover.
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