The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, a fugitive drug suspect who had evaded arrest for over two years following the interception of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The 49.70kg consignment, which was concealed inside cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Import Shed of the airport’s cargo terminal, was intercepted in February 2024 during a coordinated 12-day operation by operatives of the NDLEA MMIA Strategic Command. The agency described the seizure as the single largest heroin consignment ever recorded at the Lagos airport.

Ibewuike was one of three suspects declared wanted and subsequently charged in absentia following the seizure. According to the NDLEA, he had relocated to Mozambique, where he operated a hotel business as a front, while allegedly shuttling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an effort to evade law enforcement authorities.

The operation that led to the seizure also resulted in the arrest of key members of the alleged trafficking syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who the agency said routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf. Investigators also froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel.

The suspects 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 other suspects, Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene, are still standing trial, while three others, including Ibewuike Festus, also known as Ibewuike Chidibest, Osita Chidozie Cyril and one Arinze, were charged in absentia.

Ibewuike’s two-year evasion came to an end following actionable intelligence that 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 both Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his handover to a team of its operatives deployed to Cotonou on Friday, September 4.

He was subsequently conveyed to Nigeria to answer for his alleged role in the trafficking syndicate. During preliminary interviews, the 52-year-old confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.

On Saturday, September 5, Ibewuike 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 had been established to be linked to him.

Further investigation also revealed that Ibewuike had previously been associated with another drug-related case before the Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari. The case, filed under charge number FHC/L/203C/2013, involved the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine and one Chidi Ihedioha, who was subsequently convicted by the court in 2023.

Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), described the development as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to track down fleeing drug suspects.

“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 the agency would continue pursuing suspects involved in illicit drug trafficking regardless of how long they remained at large or where they fled.

“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,” Marwa said.

“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.”

The NDLEA Chairman also commended the multinational cooperation that facilitated the arrest and transfer of custody, particularly the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus.