The Nigerian police have captured two fugitives who are wanted internationally, identified as Felix Omoregie and Okwudili Ezeje.
Felix Omoregie, who is suspected to be a leader of a human trafficking operation, was listed as wanted by Belgian officials. In contrast, Okwudili Ezeje is believed to be a significant player in an armed robbery group based in Dubai.
Omoregie, known by the alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” was taken into custody in Benin City, Edo State, while Ezeje, 37, was arrested in Nsukka, Enugu State, through efforts coordinated with INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Abuja.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Nigeria Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, Omoregie had been on the run since his conviction in Belgium in absentia in 2021 for severe human trafficking offenses and for leading a criminal organization.
The statement noted, “The Nigerian Police Force has made a significant advancement in combating transnational organized crime with the arrest of two globally sought fugitives: Felix Omoregie alias ‘Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,’ who is suspected of leading a human trafficking syndicate as per Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, an essential member of a Dubai-based armed robbery network.
“Felix Omoregie, the alleged leader of a large-scale human trafficking enterprise, had been listed as wanted by Belgian authorities following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on December 19, 2023. He was captured in Benin City, Edo State, after thorough intelligence gathering and enforcement by police operatives. He is expected to face charges at the Federal High Court in Benin City.”
Adejobi further explained that Omoregie’s organization trafficked young Nigerian women, including minors, to Italy, subsequently distributing them across Europe for sexual exploitation.
“Omoregie is alleged to have trafficked young Nigerian women, including minors, to Italy and then across Europe for sexual exploitation,” he stated.
Victims were forced into voodoo-based oaths and subjected to psychological threats, with fabricated debts ranging from €20,000 to €50,000 used to manipulate and control them.
“His criminal enterprise included handlers in Brussels and France who oversaw the victims’ activities and sent the profits back to him.
“After receiving a conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021 for multiple charges of severe human trafficking and leading a criminal organization, Omoregie fled to Nigeria. During his arrest, police searched his residence and discovered incriminating evidence, including a photocopy of a passport meant for a planned move to Canada.”
Adejobi mentioned that Ezeje was sought in the United Arab Emirates for charges including armed robbery, drug trafficking, cult activities, and managing organized crime from Nigeria.
Ezeje is reportedly linked to several major robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall, a targeted attack on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah, and another theft at a Bureau de Change in Jebel Ali Village.
Adejobi added, “In a separate operation, INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Abuja detained 37-year-old Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje at a location in Nsukka, Enugu State. Ezeje is sought by UAE authorities for a range of serious offenses, including armed robbery, cult activities, drug trafficking, and other organized crimes.
“Gathered intelligence indicates that Ezeje has continued to manage criminal activities remotely from Nigeria, and he is directly connected to several prominent robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, such as the armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall, a targeted strike on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah, and another heist at a Bureau de Change in Jebel Ali Village.
“Both arrests are a result of strategic intelligence sharing and operational cooperation between the Nigerian Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Dubai Police. Ezeje is anticipated to be arraigned soon.”