The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had been evading arrest for more than two years.

Ibewuike was linked to a 49.70kg heroin shipment intercepted at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in February 2024. The heroin was concealed in cartons containing metal-cutting machines.

He was one of three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia following the seizure, which the NDLEA described as the largest single heroin seizure recorded at the airport.

The investigation also resulted in the arrest of several members of the alleged trafficking syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike. The agency further froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the cartel.

Three suspects — Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — have been convicted and sentenced, while Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene remain on trial.

According to the NDLEA, Ibewuike fled to Mozambique, where he allegedly operated a hotel business as a cover. He reportedly travelled between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an effort to avoid arrest.

His alleged escape came to an end on September 2, 2026, when he was arrested at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, following intelligence and cooperation between the NDLEA and INTERPOL authorities in Nigeria and Benin.

NDLEA operatives travelled to Cotonou on September 4 to take custody of the suspect and return him to Nigeria for prosecution.

During preliminary questioning, the 52-year-old suspect reportedly confirmed his identity and revealed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.

On September 5, he was taken to the NDLEA Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified the seized heroin parcels bearing the “ND” code allegedly associated with his network.

Further investigations also connected Ibewuike to an earlier case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the development as a significant breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to apprehend fleeing drug kingpins.

Marwa warned drug traffickers who flee Nigeria that the agency would continue pursuing them regardless of their location or how long they remain at large.

He also commended the cooperation between the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus, which facilitated the suspect’s transfer and repatriation to Nigeria.