Extradition of Benjamin Nnayereugo: A Case of Successful…

The Nigeria Police Force has extradited Benjamin Best Nnayereugo from Qatar to face murder charges for the killing of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe. His return follows a petition from the victim’s family and was facilitated through international cooperation, involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Nnayereugo had been on the run, using false identities, before his arrest in Doha. The Inspector-General of Police has underscored the NPF’s commitment to ensuring a thorough prosecution in this case.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has successfully extradited Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, also known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria to face murder charges. Nnayereugo, who was on the run for the murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Saturday, as announced by Police spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

Adejobi detailed that Nnayereugo’s extradition was achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Force Headquarters in Abuja, and Qatari Judicial Authorities. This process was initiated by a petition from the victim’s family submitted on September 29, 2024, leading to a comprehensive investigation into the case.

Investigations revealed that Nnayereugo murdered 21-year-old Miss Onuwabhagbe, a first-class student at Lead City University, at his residence in Lagos on July 13, 2023. Following the crime, he fled Nigeria and later attempted to mislead authorities through a deceptive online confession.

On October 13, 2023, he was declared wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, which resulted in an INTERPOL Red Notice for his arrest. Initially apprehended in Sierra Leone under a false identity on October 20, 2023, Nnayereugo escaped custody during a prison break on November 26, 2023 and continued to evade capture across multiple regions.

Nnayereugo eventually relocated to Doha on January 24, 2025, utilizing the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” and a fraudulent Guinean passport. After an extensive international investigation and the advanced use of biometrics, his identity was confirmed, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025. Following an official extradition request from Nigeria, the Qatari judicial authorities approved his repatriation.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, lauded the cooperation among nations in combating trans-border crimes and expressed gratitude towards INTERPOL NCB Abuja, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their contributions in facilitating Nnayereugo’s return. The IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring that Nnayereugo is diligently prosecuted, emphasizing their dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.

In conclusion, the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo signifies a successful collaborative effort between various international law enforcement agencies. His return to Nigeria allows for the initiation of justice concerning the murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in combatting trans-boundary crime. The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to ensuring the prosecution of Nnayereugo as a testament to their commitment to public safety and justice.

Original Source: guardian.ng