Crime/Social Justice
InterPOL arrests 'high-profile' human trafficking, robbery suspects in Edo, Enugu
Written By: Mustapha USMAN
07 May 2025 12:56 PM
THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it has apprehended two suspected internationally wanted criminals involved in transnational crime operations.
The suspects, Felix Omoregie, alias ‘Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,’ and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, were arrested in separate operations across Nigeria in connection with human trafficking and armed robbery, respectively.
A statement by the NPF spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday, May 7, stated that Omoregie, who is a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate, was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following a concerted intelligence operation.
It also noted that Omoregie had been on the run since 2021, after being convicted in absentia by Belgian authorities for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and organized crime.
According to the statement, the Belgian authorities issued an INTERPOL Red Notice for his arrest in December 2023.
The 47-year-old Omoregie is accused of trafficking Nigerian women, including minors, to Italy and other European countries for sexual exploitation. His operation allegedly involved manipulating victims through fabricated debts ranging between €20,000 and €50,000, forcing them into voodoo-based oaths to ensure compliance.
The NPF said Omoregie’s network had handlers in Belgium and France, who managed the victims and remitted the proceeds to him, adding that it discovered incriminating evidence at his residence, including a passport for a planned relocation to Canada.
“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 organisation 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,” the statement read.
It added that the suspect is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.
In a separate operation, Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, 37, was arrested at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State.
According to the police, Ezeje is a key member of an armed robbery gang linked to several high-profile heists in Dubai, including a robbery at Dubai Mall and a targeted attack on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah.
The Nigerian police noted that Ezeje has been wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for armed robbery, drug trafficking, and other organised crimes.
It also stressed that despite being in Nigeria, the suspect continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely.
“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.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations,” the statement added.
While calling on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organised crime, the Force stressed that it remains committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no haven within our border.
The suspects, Felix Omoregie, alias ‘Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,’ and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, were arrested in separate operations across Nigeria in connection with human trafficking and armed robbery, respectively.
A statement by the NPF spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday, May 7, stated that Omoregie, who is a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate, was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following a concerted intelligence operation.
It also noted that Omoregie had been on the run since 2021, after being convicted in absentia by Belgian authorities for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and organized crime.
According to the statement, the Belgian authorities issued an INTERPOL Red Notice for his arrest in December 2023.
The 47-year-old Omoregie is accused of trafficking Nigerian women, including minors, to Italy and other European countries for sexual exploitation. His operation allegedly involved manipulating victims through fabricated debts ranging between €20,000 and €50,000, forcing them into voodoo-based oaths to ensure compliance.
The NPF said Omoregie’s network had handlers in Belgium and France, who managed the victims and remitted the proceeds to him, adding that it discovered incriminating evidence at his residence, including a passport for a planned relocation to Canada.
“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 organisation 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,” the statement read.
It added that the suspect is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.
In a separate operation, Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, 37, was arrested at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State.
According to the police, Ezeje is a key member of an armed robbery gang linked to several high-profile heists in Dubai, including a robbery at Dubai Mall and a targeted attack on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah.
The Nigerian police noted that Ezeje has been wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for armed robbery, drug trafficking, and other organised crimes.
It also stressed that despite being in Nigeria, the suspect continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely.
“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.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends all operatives involved in these high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations,” the statement added.
While calling on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organised crime, the Force stressed that it remains committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no haven within our border.
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