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.
Bandits have killed the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, and abducted 25 students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State.
The attack occurred on Sunday night in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state. Sources said the gunmen shot Makuku while he tried to protect the students before abducting several schoolgirls.
The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that 25 students were taken by the attackers.
Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said Deputy Governor Umar Tafida had been sent to the school to assess the situation on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, who is currently out of the state.
The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that terrorists attacked the Maga Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Sakaba Local Government Area, abducting an unspecified number of female students.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said on Sunday that the assault occurred in the early hours of the day, adding that details remain sketchy as security agencies continue their operations.
Idris noted that Deputy Governor Umar Tafida has led a delegation of senior government officials and security personnel to the scene to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts.
According to local sources, the attackers stormed the school premises, shooting sporadically. A staff member was reportedly killed, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the invasion.
Security operatives have since intensified search and rescue operations as the government assured parents and residents that all efforts are being made to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
The Department of State Services has recorded another breakthrough, arresting a man believed to be a major supplier of weapons to armed groups.
This comes Three months after arraigning suspects in the Yelwata and Plateau massacres.
In a significant breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Musa Abubakar, a suspected arms manufacturer, in a targeted raid on November 12th.
The operation took place at his workshop in Mista Ali, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The arrest followed weeks of meticulous surveillance and the gathering of credible intelligence.
According to investigators, Abubakar confessed to manufacturing and distributing high-caliber weapons and ammunition.
These weapons were allegedly supplied to groups responsible for the recent violent attacks in Plateau State and other northern states.
Authorities seized a cache of evidence during the raid, including components of improvised explosive devices, various chemicals, and equipment used in the manufacturing process.
The DSS is continuing its investigation, aiming to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the arms supply chain and bring them to justice.
Lagos N200b bond oversubscribed by 55% at N310Billion
Pump Price Cuts Driven by Pricing, Not Tariff — Dangote
Dangote Harps on full benefits of domestic refining
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Crime3 days agoArmy confirms death of two soldiers in Borno ambush
-
News3 days agoFG vows to end frequent power grid collapses
-
News3 days agoMarwa Vows Tougher Crackdown on Drug Traffickers in Second NDLEA Tenure
-
Business2 days agoJustrite Supermarket Sets For IFC’s $15m Loan For Expansion
-
International23 hours agoBREAKING: US House of Representatives Begins Investigation Into Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
-
Sports23 hours agoSuper Eagles Coach Alleges DR Congo Used ‘Voodoo’ in Penalty Shootout
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: PDP Expels Wike, Anyanwu, Fayose, Ajibade, others over alleged Anti-party activities
-
Sports22 hours agoTinubu commends Super Eagles despite World Cup miss