Police nab two international fugitives in major crackdown on human trafficking, armed robbery
Police
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi has said in a statement on Wednesday that the Nigeria Police Force has achieved a major breakthrough in its campaign 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 behind a large-scale human trafficking operation, was apprehended in Benin City, Edo State, after a diligent intelligence-led operation.
Omoregie had been declared wanted by Belgium through an INTERPOL Red Notice and is accused of trafficking young Nigerian women-including minors-to Italy and across Europe for sexual exploitation. Victims were reportedly subjected to voodoo-based oaths and psychological coercion, with fabricated debts of €20,000 to €50,000 used to control them.
In a separate operation, Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, 37, was arrested in Nsukka, Enugu State. Ezeje is wanted by UAE authorities for armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other organized crimes. He is linked to several high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah and continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely from Nigeria.
The statement notes partly, “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.”
However, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations and ensuring fugitives find no safe haven within the country.
“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,” Adejobi had written.
