NDLEA Repatriates Fugitive Drug Kingpin Over 49.7kg Horoin Seizure in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has secured the repatriation of one FESTUS IBEWUIKE, identified as a fugitive drug kingpin, who had been on the run for over two years.

IBEWUIKE was arrested in connection with forty-nine-point-seven kilograms of heroin consignment, which was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, in February 2024.

NDLEA spokesman, FEMI BABAFEMI, said FESTUS IBEWUIKE, also known as CHIDIBEST IBEWUIKE, had relocated to Mozambique where he operates a hotel business as a front.

BABAFEMI said IBEWUIKE was one of three suspects who were declared wanted by the NDLEA and charged to court in absentia over the heroin shipment intercepted in February 2024.

He said operatives of the NDLEA’s Airport Strategic Command had arrested key members of the syndicate, including IBEWUIKE’s wife, CONFIDENCE NDIDIAMAKA, and the freezing of one hundred and seven bank accounts and the forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel.

He said those arrested were subsequently charged before Justice AMBROSE LEWIS-ALLAGOA of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, and three of the suspects have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court, include: ADINNU FELIX CHINEDU; OSITA EMMANUEL OBINNA; and ⁠UZOCHUKWU FRANKLINE.

Three other suspects still standing trial before the court are: Chidiebere Reginald Peter; Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and ⁠Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene, while three others who were charged in absentia include:

Ibewuike Festus, a.k.a. Ibewuike Chidibest; Osita Chidozie Cyril; and one Arinze.

The NDLEA spokesman said "for over two years, Ibewuike remained a fugitive, shuttling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in a calculated bid to evade Nigerian law enforcement. That evasion came to an end following actionable intelligence, which led to his arrest at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 while the Agency worked with INTERPOL both in Nigeria and Benin Republic to facilitate his handover to a team of NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on Friday 4th September. He was thereafter conveyed to Nigeria to answer for his role in the trafficking syndicate.