NDLEA nabs suspected drug kingpin over Lagos airport heroin haul

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Festus Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had allegedly been on the run for more than two years.

According to a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, was arrested at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2 following actionable intelligence.

Babafemi said the arrest was made through a collaboration between the NDLEA and INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic.

He added that the collaboration facilitated the suspect’s handover to a team of NDLEA operatives who travelled to Cotonou on September 4 to take custody of him.

Ibewuike was declared wanted after the agency intercepted 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in February 2024.

The seizure was described by the NDLEA as the single largest heroin consignment ever intercepted at the airport.

The NDLEA said Ibewuike fled and relocated to Mozambique, where he allegedly operated a hotel business as a front.

He was one of suspects, including Osita Cyril and one Arinze, charged in absentia after operatives of the agency’s MMIA strategic command, during a 12-day operation in February 2024, intercepted heroin concealed in cartons containing metal-cutting machines at the airport’s cargo terminal.

The operation led to the arrest of key members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ibewuike, who allegedly received drug-laden parcels on his behalf.

The NDLEA also froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the cartel.

The suspects were charged before Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, judge of the federal high court in Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.

Three suspects — Adinnu Chinedu, Osita Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court, while Chidiebere Peter, Confidence and Igbokwuputa Ireene are still standing trial.

The agency said Ibewuike evaded arrest for more than two years, travelling between Mozambique and Nigeria through the Benin Republic in an attempt to escape law enforcement.

NDLEA said during preliminary interviews, the 52-year-old suspect allegedly confirmed his identity and said he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.

On September 5, he was taken to the NDLEA’s central exhibit store in Lagos, where he identified the heroin parcels which the agency said had been linked to him.

The NDLEA also said further investigation linked Ibewuike to an earlier drug case before the federal high court in Lagos involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine.

The case, filed under charge number FHC/L/203C/2013 and presided over by Hadiza Shagari, involved one Chidi Ihedioha, who was convicted in 2023.

Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to apprehend fleeing drug kingpins.

“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,” Marwa said.

“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.”

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