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Authorities in Nigeria have arrested two internationally wanted fugitives—a convicted human trafficking ringleader sought by Belgium and a suspected leader of a Dubai-based armed robbery syndicate.
Felix Omoregie, and Okwudili Ezeje were captured in separate operations, according to a statement from the Nigeria Police Force announced Wednesday.
Omoregie had been on the run since 2021, when a Belgian court convicted him in absentia on multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and leading a criminal organization. After the conviction, he fled to Nigeria. On December 19, 2023, Belgian authorities issued an Interpol Red Notice describing him as the "mastermind of a large-scale human trafficking operation." He was arrested in Benin City and is expected to appear before the Federal High Court there.
Omoregie is accused of trafficking Nigerian women and minors to Italy, where victims were allegedly sold across Europe for sexual exploitation. Authorities said his network used "voodoo-based oaths" to coerce victims and trap them in fabricated debts ranging from 20,000 euros to 50,000 euros ($22,720 to $56,794).
In a separate operation, Nigeria’s Interpol National Central Bureau arrested Ezeje, at his hiding place in Enugu, in south-central Nigeria. Authorities said he was allegedly running criminal operations remotely from within the country.
Ezeje is wanted by the United Arab Emirates for charges including armed robbery, cult-related activities, drug trafficking, and other organized crimes. He has been directly linked to a series of high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall and several thefts at currency exchanges. Police said his trial is scheduled to “take place shortly.”
