The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, a fugitive drug kingpin who evaded arrest for over two years after Nigeria’s single largest heroin seizure at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Ibewuike was apprehended on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Cotonou Airport in Benin Republic and handed over to NDLEA operatives on Friday, September 4, following intelligence and collaboration with INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin. The 52-year-old, who had relocated to Mozambique and operated a hotel as a front, was one of three suspects charged in absentia over the February 2024 interception of 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the MMIA cargo terminal.
The 12-day operation by NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command also led to the arrest of key syndicate members, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who routinely received parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf. The Agency also secured the freezing of 107 bank accounts and forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel. The heroin remains the largest single consignment ever recorded at the Lagos airport.
Following the bust, the suspects were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge no. FHC/L/205C/2024. Three suspects have already been convicted and sentenced: Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna, and Uzochukwu Frankline. Three others are still standing trial: Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence, and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene. Those charged in absentia include Ibewuike Festus, Osita Chidozie Cyril, and one Arinze.
During preliminary interviews on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the NDLEA Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Ibewuike confirmed his identity and admitted to changing his name from Chidibest to Festus while on the run. He also formally identified the heroin parcels bearing the “ND” code linked to his network. Investigations further revealed his prior involvement in a 2013 case before Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, involving 40.255kg of methamphetamine seizure, where one Chidi Ihedioha was later convicted in 2023.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the arrest 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. He added that Ibewuike’s repatriation should serve as a warning to other fleeing suspects that the Agency will not relent.
Marwa commended the multinational cooperation between NDLEA and INTERPOL’s National Central Bureaus in Nigeria and Benin Republic for facilitating the smooth transfer of custody. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to dismantling drug cartels and ensuring that all those involved in illicit trafficking face prosecution, regardless of how long or how far they run.
Credit: NDLEA
