49.70kg Heroin: NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Kingpin on the Run
Oru Leonard
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 seizure of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The NDLEA said Ibewuike was among three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia after operatives of its MMIA Strategic Command intercepted the consignment during a 12-day operation in February 2024.
The heroin, described by the Agency as the single largest heroin consignment ever intercepted at the Lagos airport, 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 several members of the trafficking syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who allegedly received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf.
The investigation also resulted in the freezing of 107 bank accounts and the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the cartel.
The NDLEA said those arrested were subsequently charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.
Three suspects — Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court.
Three others, identified as Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene, are still standing trial, while three suspects — Ibewuike Festus, also known as Ibewuike Chidibest, Osita Chidozie Cyril and one Arinze — were charged in absentia.
For more than two years, Ibewuike allegedly moved between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to evade arrest.
His escape came to an end following actionable intelligence which led to his arrest at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The NDLEA said it worked with INTERPOL authorities in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his handover to a team of its operatives deployed to Cotonou on Friday, September 4.
He was subsequently brought back to Nigeria to face the charges relating to his alleged role in the drug trafficking syndicate.
During preliminary interviews, the 52-year-old 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 Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified the parcels of heroin bearing the “ND” code, which the Agency said were linked to him.
Further investigation, according to the NDLEA, also established 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. One Chidi Ihedioha was subsequently convicted in the case in 2023.
Reacting to the latest development, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the Agency’s efforts to track down fleeing drug suspects.
Marwa said the arrest demonstrated that suspects who flee Nigeria cannot remain beyond the reach of law enforcement indefinitely.
“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.
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.”
According to him, Ibewuike remained at large for more than two years, changing his name and establishing a new life abroad, but has now been returned to Nigeria to answer for the 49.70kg heroin seizure allegedly linked to his network.
Marwa warned other suspects still at large that the Agency would continue its pursuit until they are brought before the law.
The NDLEA chairman also commended the multinational cooperation that facilitated the arrest and transfer of the suspect, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus.
