A suspected drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, allegedly spent more than two years moving between countries and operating a hotel business in Mozambique as part of efforts to stay beyond the reach of Nigerian law enforcement.
The 52-year-old was eventually arrested at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, following intelligence shared with authorities in the two countries, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said.
According to the anti-narcotics agency, Ibewuike was handed over to NDLEA operatives in Cotonou on September 4 after collaboration with INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic.
His arrest followed 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 largest single heroin consignment intercepted at the airport.
Investigators allege that the heroin was concealed in cartons containing metal-cutting machines and was part of a wider international trafficking network.
While other members of the alleged syndicate were arrested, Ibewuike reportedly escaped and relocated to Mozambique, where he allegedly operated a hotel business.
The NDLEA said he continued travelling between Mozambique, Nigeria and the Benin Republic while allegedly attempting to evade arrest.
His alleged disappearance, however, did not end the investigation into the network. The agency said it froze 107 bank accounts and obtained forfeiture orders against properties allegedly connected to the cartel.
Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ibewuike, was among those arrested after she allegedly received parcels containing drugs on his behalf. Other suspects were also charged in connection with the case.
Three defendants — Adinnu Chinedu, Osita Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — have already been convicted and sentenced, while Chidiebere Peter, Confidence Ibewuike and Igbokwuputa Ireene remain on trial.
The NDLEA said Ibewuike allegedly attempted another layer of concealment by changing his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
Following his return to Nigeria, investigators took him to the agency’s central exhibit store in Lagos, where he allegedly identified the heroin parcels linked to the 2024 seizure.
Further investigation has also allegedly connected him to an older drug case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine. That case, filed in 2013, resulted in the conviction of a suspect, Chidi Ihedioha, in 2023.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa described the arrest as a significant breakthrough, warning other suspects who remain at large that changing identities or relocating abroad would not permanently shield them from prosecution.
