Posted by Chinenye on Wed 09th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
After allegedly staying out of Nigeria for more than two years, a suspected leader of a major drug trafficking network has been arrested and brought back to face authorities.
(The suspect Festus Ibewuike. Photo credit: NDLEA)
Nigeria's drug enforcement agency has arrested and brought back the suspected leader of a h€r0in smuggling ring that was caught trying to import 49.70kg of the drug through Lagos airport in 2024.
The NDLEA announced this through Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi.
The suspect, 52-year-old Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, was arrested at Cotonou airport in Benin Republic on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 after investigators tracked him down.
Festus Ibewuike had been trying to evade authorities by moving between Mozambique and Nigeria through Benin Republic.
He had relocated to Mozambique where he ran a hotel business as cover for his drug operations.
After his arrest, the NDLEA worked with INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic to bring him back.
A team of NDLEA officers was sent to Cotonou on Friday, September 4 to take custody of Festus Ibewuike before bringing him to Nigeria.
Festus Ibewuike had been declared wanted after the NDLEA seized 49.70kg of h€r0in hidden in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Lagos airport cargo terminal in February 2024.
The seizure followed a 12-day operation that also led to the arrest of members of his trafficking gang, including his wife Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike.
Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike regularly received drug packages marked with the code ND on his behalf.
The operation also froze 107 bank accounts and led to the forfeiture of properties linked to the drug cartel.
The suspects were charged before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Three suspects, Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline, have been convicted and sentenced.
Chidiebere Reginald Peter, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene are still on trial.
When questioned, Festus Ibewuike confirmed he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
At the NDLEA's facility in Lagos on Saturday, September 5, he formally identified the h€r0in packages bearing the ND code that were linked to him.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa said the arrest shows the agency's commitment to catching drug trafficking suspects who try to escape Nigeria.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa said the NDLEA will pursue anyone involved in drug trafficking no matter how far they run or how long it takes.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa thanked INTERPOL agencies in Nigeria and Benin Republic for helping to bring Festus Ibewuike back to face justice.