The International Police have included at least 14 Nigerians on their wanted list for different offences, including drug and people trafficking, robbery, deception, and fraud.
The statement on the INTERPOL website said that the 14 Nigerians were wanted by different countries where they had allegedly committed the crime.
The notices mentioned the wanted persons as Felix Omoregie, Jessica Edosomwan, Uche Egbue, Jude Uzoma, Chinedu Ezeunara, Benedict Okoro, Ikechukwu Obidiozor, and Alachi Stanley.
Bouhari Salif, Timloh Nkem, Austine Costa, Okromi Festus, Akachi Vitus and Mary Eze were also declared wanted.
According to the information on the website, Omoregie is wanted by the Belgian authority for allegedly leading a criminal organisation that exploits minors for prostitution.
It read, “Family name: Omoregie, Forename: Felix, Gender: Male, Date of birth: 22/10/1977 (47 years old), Nationality: Nigeria.
“Charges published as provided by the requesting entity: Sexual exploitation or exploitation of prostitution of minors over 16 years of age; Sexual exploitation or exploitation of prostitution of another person/Leader of a criminal organisation/Human trafficking for prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation.”
The notice on Edosomwan indicated that she is wanted by the French authority for “multiple victims trafficking in human beings, committed against several persons. Organised gang competition in an operation of placing, concealing or converting the proceeds of an offence.”
INTERPOL wanted persons -Minister
It disclosed that Egbue is wanted by authorities in Argentina for alleged drug trafficking. In contrast, Uzoma is wanted by the Brazilian government for suspected drug trafficking, Ezeunara is wanted by the Uruguayan government for alleged drug trafficking, and Okoro is wanted by the Nicaragua government for alleged organised crime.
Further information on the INTERPOL website indicated that Obidiozor, Vitus and Stanley are needed by the Angolan government for alleged “kidnapping, robbery and illegal possession of firearms.”
Other notices by the INTERPOL indicated that Eze is wanted by Denmark for alleged “traffic in human beings”, Salif by China for alleged “drug smuggling”, and Nkem by Canada for alleged “sexual assault, and failure to comply with a condition of recognisance.”
One of the suspects, Costa, as published, is wanted by India for alleged “criminal conspiracy; having possession of document knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine; forgery of valuable security, will etc; forgery for purpose of cheating” while Okromi is also wanted by India for “criminal conspiracy and cheating.”
INTERPOL, however, said that the notices were aimed to alert the public to possible threats and seek help in locating an individual.
The statement read, “A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant.
“The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country or international tribunal.
Member countries apply their laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.”
The public was requested to disclose any information they may have on the sought individuals to their local police agencies.
The International Criminal Police Organisation had also in a recent time arrested more than 300 people with links to one of West Africa’s most feared criminal networks, Black Axe, and other affiliated groups, according to a post on the Interpol website.
The Black Axe is a nocturnal group of pell criminal syndicates involved in trafficking, prostitution and killing operations around the world. It is noted that cybercrime is the group’s largest source of its revenue.
According to a statement by the organisation, the operation has led to hundreds of arrests, the seizure of assets worth $3m, and the dismantling of multiple criminal networks around the world.
Operation Jackal III targeted internet financial fraud and the West African syndicates responsible for it. It took place in 21 countries across five continents between April 10 and July 3. More than 720 bank accounts were blocked, and more than 400 other suspects were also found.
