14 Nigerians Declared Wanted by INTERPOL for Crimes Across the Globe
At least 14 Nigerians have been declared wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) for a series of criminal offences ranging from human trafficking, drug smuggling, robbery, forgery, and sexual assault to kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms.
Global Hunt for Nigerian Suspects
According to Red Notices published on INTERPOL’s website, the suspects are being pursued by law enforcement agencies in various countries where the alleged crimes took place.
The individuals declared wanted include:
1.Felix Omoregie – Wanted by Belgium for leading a criminal organisation involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.
2.Jessica Edosomwan – Wanted by France for human trafficking and concealing proceeds of crime in an organised gang operation.
3.Uche Egbue – Wanted by Argentina for drug trafficking.
4.Jude Uzoma – Wanted by Brazil for drug trafficking.
5.Chinedu Ezeunara – Wanted by Uruguay for drug trafficking.
6.Benedict Okoro – Wanted by Nicaragua for organised crime.
7.Ikechukwu Obidiozor, Akachi Vitus, and Alachi Stanley – Wanted by Angola for kidnapping, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.
8.Mary Eze – Wanted by Denmark for human trafficking.
9.Bouhari Salif – Wanted by China for drug smuggling.
10.Timloh Nkem – Wanted by Canada for sexual assault and failure to comply with court conditions.
11.Austine Costa – Wanted by India for criminal conspiracy, forgery, and fraud.
12.Okromi Festus – Also wanted by India for criminal conspiracy and cheating.
Other are, Akachi Vitus and Alachi Stanley.
See Also:
Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Granted N500m Bail Over Alleged N10.4bn Fraud
Ifagbenga Taiwo, A Trainee Herbalist Claims Spell Made Him Kill His One-Month-Old Son
Highlighting the Severity of the Crimes
The charges listed against the suspects include some of the most serious crimes, such as:
•Human trafficking and exploitation of minors – Felix Omoregie allegedly led an organised ring that exploited children for prostitution.
•Drug smuggling and trafficking – Several suspects, including Egbue, Uzoma, and Ezeunara, face accusations of transporting illegal narcotics across international borders.
•Forgery and fraud – Suspects like Costa and Okromi are accused of using forged documents to commit fraud in India.
•Violent crimes – Obidiozor, Vitus, and Stanley are being hunted for their roles in kidnappings, armed robbery, and possession of illegal firearms.
INTERPOL’s Position and Public Appeal
INTERPOL clarified that its Red Notices are not international arrest warrants but serve as alerts to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally detain suspects pending extradition or legal proceedings.
“A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action,” INTERPOL stated.
Call for Public Assistance
The international policing body has urged members of the public who may have any information about the whereabouts of these suspects to report to their local police departments immediately.
National Concerns and Reactions
This development has sparked discussions about Nigeria’s image abroad and the need for stronger measures to prevent cross-border crimes involving its citizens. Authorities in Nigeria are expected to collaborate with INTERPOL to assist in apprehending the suspects and ensuring justice prevails.
Final Note
As INTERPOL intensifies efforts to bring these fugitives to justice, this case highlights the global impact of crime networks and the importance of international cooperation in combating criminal activities. Nigerians are advised to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
