By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested and repatriated a Chadian national, Mahadijiria Abdoulaye, wanted by authorities in N’Djamena, Chad, in connection with the murder of Nazik Mahamat Saleh.
Abdoulaye, who was also linked to narcotics trafficking activities in Chad, was arrested on August 5, 2026, by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, at Railway Quarters, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, following coordinated intelligence operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday , adding that the suspect was repatriated to N’Djamena on August 14 through Lomé, Togo, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB N’Djamena.
According to the statement, Abdoulaye was wanted over the torture and killing of Nazik Mahamat Saleh on May 3, 2026, while an international warrant of arrest was issued by the Court of Appeal, N’Djamena, on June 22, 2026, against her and her accomplice, Fatime Senoussi Mouktar.
The police said Abdoulaye fled to Nigeria after the incident but was subsequently traced and arrested in Kano following intelligence-led operations by INTERPOL NCB Abuja.
Her repatriation, the statement said, was conducted under established bilateral police cooperation arrangements to facilitate her return to Chad to face the judicial process.
Commending the operation, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, praised the operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja for their professionalism, diligence and effective coordination with their Chadian counterparts.
Disu noted that the successful arrest and repatriation underscored the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring that fugitives do not evade justice by crossing international borders.
He assured that the Force would continue to leverage established international policing channels and partnerships to track fugitives, disrupt trans-border criminal networks and ensure that persons wanted for serious crimes do not find safe haven in Nigeria.
The NPF reiterated its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in combating trans-border crimes and ensuring that fugitives are brought before the appropriate authorities to face justice.