Police Arrest High-profile Internationally Wanted Fugitives
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of two internationally wanted fugitives who evaded arrest in Belgium and United Arab Emirates.
One of those arrested, Felix Omoregie alias Eghosa Johnson Omoregie, is suspected to be the ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities.
The other, Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, is wanted for been a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang.
Omoregie, who was declared wanted by the Belgian authorities through an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on 19th December 2023, was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following diligent intelligence and enforcement efforts by the Nigerian Police operatives.
He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City on charges of trafficking young Nigerian women, including minors to Italy and subsequently distributing them across Europe for prostitution.
“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,” a police statement issued by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said on Wednesday.
Ezeje on the other hand was smoked out of his hideout in Nsukka in an operation by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Abuja.
Adejobi said “Ezeje is wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates 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, and the Dubai Police.
“The arraignment of Okwudili Ezeje is expected to take place shortly.”
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has commended all operatives involved in the high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations.
He assured that the Nigeria Police Force was committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no safe haven within the Nigerian 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.”
