Crime
Nigeria Police Arrests two High-Profile Fugitives Wanted for Human Trafficking, Armed Robbery
…..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.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Friday night arrested three more persons suspected to be members of the kidnapping ring that abducted the dean of agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Professor Samuel Avengbe Okunsebor.
The university don was rescued by DSS operatives two days after some gunmen kidnapped him in the wee hours of Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Mile Uku, a border community between Lafia and Nasarawa-Eggon LGAs. Two suspects, including a lady, were arrested by the DSS at the time.
DSS operatives arrested the three other members of the kidnapping gang on Friday night at a local brothel on the Mararraban Akunza, Lafia – Makurdi highway
According to report, “the suspects were identified as 25-year-old Yakubu Abubakar (aka Black/Starboy), of the Doemak tribe in Plateau State;
37-year-old Usman Abubakar Mairiga,
and 27-year-old Sale Babauro Abubakar. Mairiga
and Abubakar are Hausa and Fulani respectively.
It was disclosed that the suspects are in the custody of the State Command for further investigations. The move, however, followed a valid detention warrant from a magistrate’s court.
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Sapaade, has confirmed that five students were abducted following an attack by suspected armed bandits on a private student hostel.
In a joint statement signed by SUG President Comr. Akinpelu Bukunmi Timothy, General Secretary Comr. Salau Boluwaduro Saidat, and Public Relations Officer Comr. Amb. Matthew Francis Sonayon (Sonat), the union said the incident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. at a hostel along Paraga Road, Ipara.
The hostel is located in a remote area surrounded by thick bush, which the SUG described as vulnerable and unsuitable as a safe residential environment for students. The attack lasted about 30 minutes. Because of the isolated location, nearby residents were unable to hear or respond in time.
The assailants fired gunshots during the assault, but no student was killed. Several students managed to escape through the POP ceiling, while others were unable to flee. Five students were taken by the attackers.
The matter has been formally reported to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies. The SUG expressed confidence that efforts are underway to secure the safe rescue of the abducted students.
The union urged students, parents, guardians and the public to ignore false, exaggerated and unverified reports circulating on social media. While acknowledging that the incident is real and deeply unfortunate, it said many of the circulating stories do not accurately reflect the facts and only fuel unnecessary fear and panic.
The SUG called on everyone to remain calm, rely solely on verified information from the institution, the Students’ Union Government and security agencies, and avoid spreading rumours that could hinder ongoing rescue and security operations.
It also advised students seeking off-campus accommodation to prioritise hostels in secure, well-populated areas and avoid isolated locations that increase security risks.
The Students’ Union Government said it stands in solidarity with the affected students and their families and remains committed to working with school management and security agencies until the abducted students are safely reunited with their loved ones.
The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned the President of the Borno State Youths Association (BOSYA), Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, on terrorism charges before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kaigama, who was recently arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), had last week admitted during an interview on Channels Television that he held discussions with Boko Haram terrorists over alleged ransom payments for kidnapped victims.
Security sources said the secret police is in possession of strong evidence linking Kaigama to the extortion of families of the abducted persons.
Justice Ibrahim adjourned the case to September 25, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that the self-styled youth leader remain in DSS custody.
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