The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated suspected drug kingpin Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, who had been on the run for more than two years.
Ibewuike was arrested at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Wednesday, 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 Friday, September 4, and subsequently brought to Nigeria to face prosecution over his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking syndicate.
The NDLEA disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, 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 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in February 2024.
The NDLEA described the seizure as the single largest heroin consignment ever intercepted at the airport.
The heroin was concealed in cartons containing metal-cutting machines at the Import Shed of the airport’s cargo terminal. The seizure followed a 12-day operation by operatives of the NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command.
The operation led to the arrest of several alleged members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike. The agency alleged that she routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on behalf of her husband.
As part of its investigation, the NDLEA said it 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 since been convicted and sentenced by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Three others — Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene — are still standing trial.
Ibewuike, alongside Osita Chidozie Cyril and another suspect identified as Arinze, was charged in absentia.
Suspect Allegedly Used Mozambique Hotel as Cover
The NDLEA said Ibewuike had relocated to Mozambique, where he allegedly operated a hotel business as a cover. The agency further alleged that he travelled between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in an attempt to evade arrest.
During preliminary interviews following his repatriation, the 52-year-old suspect reportedly confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
On Saturday, September 5, he was taken to the NDLEA’s Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he formally identified parcels of heroin bearing the “ND” code. The agency said the parcels were linked to him.
Further investigations also allegedly linked Ibewuike to an earlier drug case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine.
The case, filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos under charge number FHC/L/203C/2013, involved a suspect identified as Chidi Ihedioha, who was convicted by the court in 2023.
Marwa: Arrest a Major Breakthrough
Reacting to the development, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described Ibewuike’s arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to track down suspected drug kingpins who flee the country.
“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,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA said the arrest underscores its continued efforts to work with international law enforcement agencies to track down suspects who attempt to evade prosecution by leaving Nigeria.
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