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DHQ Hails Simon Ekpa’s Arrest In Finland, Seeks Extradition To Nigeria

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The Defence Headquarters has commended the Finnish authorities for arresting separatist leader Simon Ekpa, describing the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

In separate statements, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, and Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, lauded the arrest as a crucial victory. Both spokespersons highlighted the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa’s, satisfaction with the action.

“The CDS is pleased with his arrest in Finland, expressing hope that it will pave the way for his extradition to Nigeria to face justice,” Brigadier General Gusau stated on Thursday.

Similarly, Major General Buba emphasized that the arrest underscores international collaboration in combating terrorism. “The CDS has persistently advocated for Simon Ekpa’s apprehension due to his significant role in fueling terrorism in southeastern Nigeria. We are thrilled by this development and grateful for the international community’s support,” he added.

Background of Simon Ekpa’s Case

On March 23, the Defence Headquarters declared Simon Ekpa wanted for inciting violence in Nigeria’s South-East region. He was listed alongside 96 other individuals accused of terror-related activities nationwide.

Ekpa was apprehended on Thursday in Finland, alongside four others, over allegations of terrorism, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism. A district court in Lahti, Finland, has ordered his remand on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria. The charges reportedly trace back to August 23, 2021.

Allegations Against Ekpa

Ekpa, a vocal proponent of separatist propaganda tied to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is accused of using social media platforms to incite violence and promote secession in Nigeria’s South-East. The Finnish authorities have also previously investigated him for financial crimes, including soliciting funds through dubious means.

This arrest signals growing international cooperation in addressing terrorism and reinforces Nigeria’s efforts to curtail violence and extremism.

Crime

JUST IN: Tompolo has questions to answer – EFCC breaks silence on viral video

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, has questions to answer concerning a viral video clip which showed him allegedly engaging in naira abuse.

Nigerians on Sunday dared the Commission to arrest Tompolo like it did to other offenders.

The outrage was ignited by a viral video posted on X by one Harrison A, who tweets as #harreceipts with the caption, ‘EFCC, see Tompolo and the Naira o’.

The video clip captured parts of Tompolo’s 54th birthday celebration in April.It showed the Niger Delta chieftain dancing while a man lavishly sprayed N1,000 notes before him.

Responding to the demands by netizens, EFCC in a post on its official X handle on Monday said: “Nobody is above the law. Tompolo will have questions to answer!”

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Crime

Nigeria Police Nabs Two Countrymen Allegedly Behind Transnational Sex and Robbery Crimes

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The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations.

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against transnational organized crime with the arrest of two internationally wanted fugitives: Felix Omoregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang

In a statement dated May 7, 2025, with the reference number Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/433, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, Force HQ Abuja, said: “Felix Omoregie, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale human trafficking operation, had been declared wanted by the Belgian authorities through an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on 19th December 2023, and was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following diligent intelligence and enforcement efforts by Police operatives.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

Omoregie is accused of trafficking young Nigerian women, including minors, to Italy and subsequently dispersing them across Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Victims were subjected to voodoo-based oaths and psychological coercion, with fabricated debts ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 used to manipulate and control them.

His criminal network involved handlers in Brussels and France who managed the victims’ activities and remitted proceeds to him.

Following a conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021 for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and criminal organization leadership, Omoregie fled to Nigeria.

Upon his arrest, a search of his premises revealed incriminating materials, including a photocopy of a passport intended for a planned relocation to Canada.

In a separate operation, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, apprehended 37-year-old Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State.

Ezeje is wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a series of serious crimes, including armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other organized criminal activities.

Intelligence gathered reveals that Ezeje continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely from Nigeria.

He has been directly linked to several high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall, a targeted hit on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah, and another heist at a Bureau de Change in Jebel Ali Village.

The arrest was the result of strategic intelligence sharing and operational collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Dubai Police.

The arraignment of Okwudili Ezeje is expected to take place shortly.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no safe haven within our borders.

These arrests serve as a clear message that criminal elements, no matter how far they run or how long they hide, will be brought to justice.

The Force calls on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organized crime, both at home and abroad.”

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Nigeria Police Arrests two High-Profile Fugitives Wanted for Human Trafficking, Armed Robbery

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…..Reiterates Commitment towards International Partnership

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against transnational organized crime with the arrest of two internationally wanted fugitives:

Felix Omoregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang.

Felix Omoregie, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale human trafficking operation, had been declared wanted by the Belgian authorities through an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on 19th December 2023, and was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following diligent intelligence and enforcement efforts by Police operatives.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City. Omoregie is accused of trafficking young Nigerian women—including minors—to Italy and subsequently dispersing them across Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Victims were subjected to voodoo-based oaths and psychological coercion, with fabricated debts ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 used to manipulate and control them.

His criminal network involved handlers in Brussels and France who managed the victims’ activities and remitted proceeds to him.

Following a conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021 for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and criminal organization leadership, Omoregie fled to Nigeria.

Upon his arrest, a search of his premises revealed incriminating materials, including a photocopy of a passport intended for a planned relocation to Canada.

In a separate operation, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, apprehended 37-year-old Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State.

Ezeje is wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a series of serious crimes including armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other organized criminal activities.

Intelligence gathered reveals that Ezeje continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely from Nigeria.

He has been directly linked to several high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall, a targeted hit on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah, and another heist at a Bureau de Change in Jebel Ali Village.

The arrest was the result of strategic intelligence sharing and operational collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Dubai Police.

The arraignment of Okwudili Ezeje is expected to take place shortly.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no safe haven within our borders.

These arrests serve as a clear message that criminal elements, no matter how far they run or how long they hide, will be brought to justice.

The Force calls on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organized crime, both at home and abroad.

Continue Reading

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