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The long-running manhunt for 52-year-old Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, has finally come to an end after the suspected drug kingpin was arrested in neighbouring Benin Republic and brought back to Nigeria.
Ibewuike was picked up at the Cotonou airport on Wednesday, September 2, following intelligence received by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL).
Two days later, on Friday, September 4, NDLEA operatives travelled to Cotonou to take custody of him before returning him to Nigeria, where he is expected to face prosecution over his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking syndicate.
The NDLEA announced his arrest and repatriation 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 after NDLEA operatives intercepted 49.70kg of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos in February 2024.
The agency described the seizure as the largest single heroin consignment ever intercepted at the airport.
The heroin was reportedly hidden inside cartons containing metal-cutting machines at the airport’s Import Shed. The discovery followed a 12-day operation by operatives of the NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command.
Several people linked to the alleged syndicate were arrested during the operation, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike. The NDLEA alleged that she regularly collected drug-filled parcels marked with the code “ND” on behalf of her husband.
Authorities also froze 107 bank accounts and secured the forfeiture of properties allegedly connected to the cartel.
The NDLEA said Ibewuike later moved to Mozambique, where he allegedly used a hotel business as a cover. Despite this, he continued travelling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic, apparently in an effort to stay ahead of law enforcement.
Following his return to Nigeria, the suspect was reportedly interviewed by NDLEA operatives. During the preliminary questioning, the 52-year-old allegedly confirmed his identity and revealed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
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