The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, two years after he allegedly fled Nigeria following the seizure of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos….
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, two years after he allegedly fled Nigeria following the seizure of 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Ibewuike was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026, following a joint operation involving the NDLEA and INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin.
He was handed over to the NDLEA on September 4 and has since been returned to Nigeria to face trial.
The 49.70kg heroin seizure in February 2024 remains the largest single heroin consignment ever intercepted at the Lagos airport.
The drugs were allegedly concealed inside cartons containing metal-cutting machines.
NDLEA said investigations into the seizure led to the identification of Ibewuike as one of the key suspects behind the trafficking operation.
His wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, is also allegedly linked to the syndicate and was accused of receiving parcels marked with the code “ND”.
The agency said 107 bank accounts connected to the case have been frozen, while properties linked to the alleged syndicate have been forfeited.
Several members of the drug network have already been convicted, while others remain in court.
According to the NDLEA, Ibewuike changed his name and used Mozambique and Benin Republic as cover while evading arrest.
After his return to Nigeria, he was taken to the Ikoyi exhibit store on September 5, where he allegedly identified the same “ND”-coded parcels connected to the investigation.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the arrest demonstrated that suspects could not escape justice by fleeing the country.
“Fleeing Nigeria does not put you beyond reach. You can change the name. You cannot outrun the case.”
The agency said the arrest was the result of sustained international cooperation between Nigerian and Beninese law-enforcement authorities and INTERPOL.
