The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and brought back to Nigeria a suspected drug kingpin who allegedly evaded authorities for more than two years after the seizure of 49.70kg of heroin at Lagos airport.
Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, was arrested at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026. The 52-year-old was tracked through intelligence-sharing and cooperation between Nigerian and Beninese authorities.
The NDLEA said Ibewuike had moved to Mozambique, where he allegedly used a hotel business as a front while travelling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic. He was handed over to NDLEA officers in Cotonou on September 4 and subsequently returned to Nigeria to face charges over his alleged involvement in a major drug trafficking network.
Ibewuike was among three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia following a 12-day NDLEA operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in February 2024. The operation resulted in the interception of 49.70kg of heroin hidden inside cartons containing metal-cutting machines at the airport’s cargo terminal. The agency described the seizure as the largest heroin consignment recorded at the airport.
Investigators subsequently arrested several alleged members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike. The NDLEA alleged that she regularly collected drug parcels linked to her husband, with the consignments reportedly carrying the code “ND”. The agency also said 107 bank accounts connected to the suspected network were frozen and properties allegedly linked to the cartel were forfeited.
Several suspects have faced trial before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, in case number FHC/L/205C/2024. Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline have been convicted and sentenced, while Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene remain on trial. Ibewuike, Osita Chidozie Cyril and another suspect identified as Arinze were charged in absentia.
Following his return, the NDLEA said Ibewuike confirmed his identity and admitted that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike. On September 5, he was taken to the agency’s Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, where officials said he identified heroin parcels bearing the “ND” marking allegedly connected to him.
The agency also linked Ibewuike to an earlier drug case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine. The case was heard by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari at the Federal High Court in Lagos under charge number FHC/L/203C/2013, with one Chidi Ihedioha later convicted in 2023.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough and warned suspected drug traffickers that fleeing Nigeria or changing identities would not guarantee escape from prosecution. He praised the cooperation between the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus and said the agency would continue pursuing suspects involved in illicit drug trafficking.
“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.
The NDLEA said investigations into the alleged trafficking network are continuing.
