Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two internationally wanted fugitives: Felix Omoregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang.
In a statement released today May 7, the spokesperson of the
police force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said 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. 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 further stated that 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.''
He mentioned that 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.
Adejobi added that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations.
‘’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.'' the statement read
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