NDLEA Secures Repatriation of Long-Sought Drug Kingpin Festus Ibewuike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had evaded capture for over two years. His arrest took place on Wednesday, September 2, at Cotonou airport in the Benin Republic. This operation was a result of crucial intelligence and a joint effort between the NDLEA and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL). Following his apprehension, Ibewuike was transferred to NDLEA operatives stationed in Cotonou on Friday, September 4, and subsequently transported to Nigeria to face charges concerning his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network.

Details of this significant development were released by the NDLEA on Wednesday, September 9, through a statement from its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi. The agency revealed that Ibewuike was among three individuals declared wanted and formally charged in their absence. This action followed a substantial seizure of 49.70 kilograms of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, which occurred in February 2024.

This particular interception marked the largest single consignment of heroin ever seized at the Lagos airport. The illicit drugs were discovered hidden within cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Import Shed of the airport's cargo terminal. This discovery was made during a 12-day intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives from the NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command. The extensive operation resulted in the apprehension of various alleged syndicate members, including Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who is Festus Ibewuike’s wife. The NDLEA stated that she habitually received parcels containing drugs, identifiable by the code “ND,” on her husband’s behalf.

In connection with this case, the NDLEA took further action by freezing 107 bank accounts and obtaining court orders for the forfeiture of properties believed to be associated with the drug cartel. To date, three suspects, namely Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna, and Uzochukwu Frankline, have been found guilty and sentenced by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. Currently, three other individuals — Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence, and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene — are awaiting the conclusion of their trials. Festus Ibewuike, along with Osita Chidozie Cyril and another individual known as Arinze, had charges filed against them while they were not present.

According to the agency, Ibewuike had reportedly moved to Mozambique, where he allegedly ran a hotel operation as a facade. He was said to have frequently travelled between Mozambique and Nigeria, often passing through the Benin Republic, in an attempt to elude law enforcement. During initial questioning after his return to Nigeria, the 52-year-old suspect reportedly verified his identity and admitted to altering his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike. On Saturday, September 5, he was brought to the NDLEA’s Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he officially recognized heroin parcels marked with the “ND” code, which the agency asserts are connected to him.

Investigations further revealed Ibewuike's connection to a previous drug-related incident involving the confiscation of 40.255 kilograms of methamphetamine. This earlier case, designated charge number FHC/L/203C/2013, was heard at the Federal High Court in Lagos and led to the conviction of Chidi Ihedioha in 2023.

Commenting on the successful arrest, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), hailed the operation as a significant milestone in the agency's ongoing campaign to pursue and apprehend suspected drug kingpins attempting to escape justice by leaving the country. Marwa stated, “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.”