After Two Years Of Hiding, NDLEA Arrests One Of Nigeria’s Most Wanted Drug Kingpins In Cotonou

After Two Years Of Hiding

 

OpenLife News reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, one of Nigeria’s most wanted drug kingpins who had been on the run for over two years.

Ibewuike was apprehended at the Cotonou Airport, Benin Republic, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence and a joint operation with INTERPOL Nigeria and Benin Republic.

He was handed over to NDLEA operatives on Friday, September 4, and flown into Nigeria to face prosecution.

The 49.7kg Heroin Case That Led To The Manhunt.

The arrest is linked to the single largest heroin seizure ever recorded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.

In February 2024, NDLEA operatives in a 12-day operation intercepted 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the airport’s cargo terminal.

Ibewuike was declared wanted alongside two others after fleeing the country. His wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who allegedly received drug parcels coded “ND” on his behalf, was among those arrested.

The Agency also froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel.

The case, FHC/L/205C/2024, is before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. Three suspects have been convicted and sentenced: Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna, and Uzochukwu Frankline. Three others are still on trial.

How He Was Tracked

For over 24 months, the 52-year-old suspect operated a hotel business in Mozambique as a front and shuttled between Mozambique, Nigeria, and Benin Republic to evade arrest.

During preliminary interrogation, he admitted to changing his name from Chidibest to Festus Ibewuike.On Saturday, September 5, 2026, he was taken to the NDLEA Central Exhibit Store in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he identified the heroin parcels bearing the “ND” code linked to his network.

Investigations also revealed Ibewuike’s prior link to another narcotics case in FHC/L/203C/2013 before Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine.NDLEA  boss speaks.

Reacting, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the arrest as a major breakthrough. “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.

The long arm of the NDLEA will catch up with anyone involved in this illicit trade, no matter how long it takes or how far they run.

This should serve as a fresh warning to fleeing suspects still at large.”

Marwa commended the Nigerian and Beninese INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for their role in ensuring a smooth transfer of custody.