NDLEA Recaptures Drug Kingpin After Two Years; 49.7kg Heroin Case Resolved

Festus Ibewuike, 52, stands accused of orchestrating one of Nigeria's most significant heroin operations. Known also as Chidibest Ibewuike, this fugitive was detained at Cotonou airport in Benin Republic on September 2, 2026, and subsequently moved into Nigeria for legal proceedings.

For over two years, Ibewuike evaded capture following authorities' discovery of 49.70 kilogrammes of heroin at Lagos's Murtala Muhammed International Airport during 2024. The NDLEA conducted an intensive cross-border investigation, deploying smart intelligence techniques and working with international law enforcement partners to locate and apprehend him.

Critical to this success was partnership between NDLEA teams and INTERPOL's national offices in Nigeria as well as Benin Republic. Acting on solid intelligence leads, enforcement personnel identified where Ibewuike was hiding.

His formal transfer to NDLEA custody occurred September 4, 2026, concluding the prolonged two-year search operation. Femi Babafemi, speaking on behalf of the NDLEA's media division, confirmed Ibewuike's return to Nigeria and his entrance into prosecution.

This apprehension marks meaningful progress in the agency's campaign against major trafficking syndicates active across Nigerian territory and neighbouring regions. Prosecution will now proceed in connection with the heroin consignment discovered in February 2024.