By Bukola Olamona

In a major breakthrough in international crime-fighting, the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with INTERPOL, has arrested two high-profile fugitives wanted for transnational crimes including human trafficking and armed robbery.

The suspects, identified as Felix Omoregie and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, were apprehended in separate coordinated operations in Edo and Enugu states, following months of intelligence sharing and surveillance.

This is contained in a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday.

Omoregie, also known as “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” was arrested in Benin City, the Edo State capital, after he was declared wanted by Belgian authorities. A red notice had been issued by INTERPOL in December 2023 following his conviction in absentia by a Belgian court in 2021 for operating a human trafficking ring.

According to investigations, Omoregie headed a notorious syndicate that trafficked young Nigerian women, including minors, to various parts of Europe ,most notably Italy, France, and Belgium, where they were coerced into sex work. Victims were subjected to voodoo rituals and forced to incur fabricated debts amounting to tens of thousands of euros as a means of control.

During his arrest, security operatives reportedly recovered incriminating materials, including a photocopy of an international passport, which suggested that the suspect had made plans to escape to Canada.

In a parallel operation, 37-year-old Ezeje was apprehended at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State. Ezeje is wanted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities for a catalogue of offences ranging from armed robbery to drug trafficking and operating within an international criminal network.

Police sources revealed that the suspect played a key role in orchestrating a series of high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including attacks on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah and a bureau de change in Jebel Ali. It was gathered that despite being physically out of UAE jurisdiction, Ezeje continued to manage the gang’s illicit operations remotely from within Nigeria.

The arrests were made possible through joint intelligence coordination involving the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), INTERPOL, the Nigeria Police Force, and law enforcement agencies in Dubai.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the collaborative efforts that led to the successful capture of the fugitives, describing the development as a significant step in Nigeria’s commitment to international law enforcement.

“These arrests send a clear message to fugitives who believe they can escape justice, criminals can run, but they can’t hide forever. The Nigeria Police remains committed to working with our global partners to dismantle criminal networks threatening international peace and security,” the IGP stated.

Both suspects are expected to be charged in Nigerian courts, even as extradition processes may be considered, pending legal consultations and international cooperation agreements