NDLEA arrests, repatriates fugitive drug kingpin over 49.7kg heroin seizure

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had evaded arrest for more than two years following the interception of the largest heroin consignment ever recorded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Babafemi said Ibewuike had relocated to Mozambique, where he allegedly operated a hotel business as a front, after he was declared wanted and charged in absentia alongside two other suspects.

According to him, the suspects were declared wanted following a coordinated 12-day operation by operatives of the Agency’s MMIA Strategic Command in February 2024, during which 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines was intercepted at the import shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.

The operation led to the arrest of key members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who allegedly routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf.

The agency also said 107 bank accounts were frozen and properties linked to the cartel forfeited.

The suspects were subsequently charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.

The NDLEA 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 charged in absentia are Ibewuike Festus, also known as Chidibest; Osita Chidozie Cyril; and one Arinze.

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 law enforcement.

However, actionable intelligence led to his arrest at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The NDLEA said it worked with INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his handover to a team of NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on Friday, September 4.

The agency said his arrest and repatriation marked the end of his more than two-year period on the run.