NDLEA Arrests Suspected Drug Kingpin After Two Years on the Run

By Chibuzo Obidike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested and repatriated a 52 year old suspected drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, after more than two years on the run.

Ibewuike was arrested at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, following actionable intelligence and collaboration between the NDLEA and the International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL.

He was handed over to NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on September 4 and subsequently conveyed to Nigeria to face prosecution over his alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking syndicate.

The NDLEA disclosed this in a statement issued on September 9 by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

According to the agency, Ibewuike was among three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia following the seizure of 49.70 kilogrammes of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, in February 2024.

The agency described the seizure as the single largest heroin consignment ever intercepted at the airport. The drugs were concealed in cartons of metal cutting machines at the Import Shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.

The 12 day operation by operatives of the NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command led to the arrest of several alleged members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike.

The agency alleged that Confidence routinely received drug laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on behalf of her husband. The NDLEA also froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the cartel.

The agency said Ibewuike relocated to Mozambique, where he allegedly operated a hotel business as a cover while travelling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to evade arrest.

During preliminary interviews after his repatriation, the suspect reportedly confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.

The NDLEA said his arrest and return to Nigeria marked a significant development in its investigation into the alleged trafficking syndicate.