The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has demonstrated commitment to fostering international unity as it secured the arrest of two internationally wanted fugitives, namely, Felix Omeregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje.
While confirming the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that Omeregie was a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, while Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje was a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang.
According to him, the Belgian authorities through an INTERPOL Red notice declared Omoregie wanted and was arrested by the NPF in Benin city, Edo State, following credible intelligence and displayed expertise of the Force operatives and scheduled to be tried at the Federal High Court in Benin city.
Adejobi, speaking further, noted that Omeregie was accused of trafficking young Nigerian women, including minors to Italy and scattering them across Europe for Sexual exploitation purposes, while subjecting them to oath, force as well as manipulating and controlling them through fabricated debts ranging between 20 thousand and 50 thousand euros.
His success was made possible through his accomplice in Brussels and France who managed the victims’ activities and remitted proceeds to him.
The statement reads in part, “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.”
Meanwhile, his arrest was secured after he fled from Belgium to Nigeria due to his conviction in absentia in Belgium for multiple counts of human trafficking and criminal organization leadership.
“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.” Adejobi noted.
In a separate operation, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, in collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Dubai Police nabs a 37-year-old Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, at a hideout in Enugu.
Ezeje was wanted by United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities for crimes including armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other series of criminal activities.
Intelligence reports revealed that he coordinated criminal operations remotely from Nigeria and has been linked to several high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, 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 statement reads, “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.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun commends the successful efforts of the operatives and reiterates the commitment of the Force to to enhance global partnership as well as ensuring that Nigeria is not a safe haven for fugitives.
The Force calls on the citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organized crimes both within and across the border.
“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 noted.
