The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Festus Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had allegedly been on the run for over two years.
In a statement issued by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA director of
media and advocacy, Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, was arrested at
an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, following actionable
intelligence.
Babafemi said the anti-narcotics agency collaborated with
INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate Ibewuike’s handover to a
team of NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on September 4.
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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