Nigeria Police Force Nabs Two Internationally Wanted Fugitives in Major Operations
Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant victory against transnational organized crime, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the arrest of two high-profile fugitives wanted internationally for human trafficking and armed robbery.
The suspects, Felix Omoregie and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, were apprehended in separate operations across the country, marking a collaborative effort with global law enforcement agencies.
Felix Omoregie, a 37-year-old suspected kingpin of a human trafficking syndicate, was captured in Benin City, Edo State. Omoregie, who operates under the alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” had been on the run since his conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021.
He faces multiple charges of aggravated human trafficking and leading a criminal organization. According to a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday, Omoregie’s network allegedly trafficked young Nigerian women, including minors, to Italy before dispersing them across Europe for sexual exploitation.
The arrest of Omoregie was the result of “diligent intelligence and enforcement efforts” by NPF operatives, acting on an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on December 19, 2023.
Adejobi emphasized the operation’s importance in combating cross-border criminal activities. “Felix Omoregie, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale human trafficking operation, had been declared wanted by the Belgian authorities,” the statement read. “He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.”
In a parallel sting operation, police forces, working in conjunction with the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, arrested Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, 37, in Nsukka, Enugu State. Ezeje is described as a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery syndicate, though specific details of his alleged crimes were not elaborated in the police statement.
This arrest underscores the NPF’s growing collaboration with international partners to track and apprehend individuals involved in global criminal networks.
The NPF’s statement highlighted the force’s commitment to tackling organized crime that threatens national and international security.
“The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against transnational organized crime with the arrest of these two internationally wanted fugitives,” Adejobi said.
He added that the operations demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and partnerships like those with INTERPOL.
These arrests come amid heightened global efforts to curb human trafficking and armed robbery syndicates, which often exploit vulnerable populations and span multiple continents.
Human rights advocates have praised the NPF’s actions, calling for swift prosecutions to ensure justice for victims.
The Nigeria Police Force has not disclosed further details about potential accomplices or ongoing investigations but reiterated its resolve to work with local and international agencies to dismantle such networks.
As the cases progress through the courts, they are expected to shed more light on the extent of these criminal operations and the challenges of extradition and cross-border enforcement.
