The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), working with INTERPOL, has arrested and repatriated 52-year-old Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, in connection with a major heroin investigation.
Ibewuike was linked to the 49.70kg heroin consignment seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos in February 2024. The NDLEA said he had remained outside Nigeria for more than two years before his arrest.
According to the agency, Ibewuike was arrested at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026, following intelligence received by the NDLEA.
He was subsequently handed over to Nigerian authorities with assistance from the INTERPOL National Central Bureaus in Nigeria and Benin.
The NDLEA said the heroin was concealed inside cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Lagos airport cargo terminal.
Investigators later recovered an additional 2.2kg of heroin linked to the same syndicate, bringing the total quantity recovered in connection with the investigation to 51.90kg.
The agency also said 107 bank accounts were frozen and properties allegedly connected to members of the syndicate were forfeited.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa described the arrest as a major breakthrough and warned drug traffickers that leaving Nigeria would not guarantee escape from prosecution.