Extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo from Qatar to Nigeria for Murder Charges

The Nigeria Police Force has extradited Benjamin Best Nnayereugo from Doha, Qatar to face murder charges for the death of Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe. Nnayereugo, also known as “Killaboi,” had been on the run since July 2023 and was apprehended through international cooperation with INTERPOL. His extradition was confirmed after a judicial approval process facilitated by multiple agencies.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has successfully extradited Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, also known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria to face charges of murder. According to Police spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Nnayereugo had been evading law enforcement following the murder of Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student at Lead City University, Ibadan. He was returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Saturday.

Adejobi explained that the extradition was facilitated through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Force Headquarters in Abuja, and the Qatari judicial authorities. The process was initiated following a formal petition submitted by the family of the deceased through their legal representatives on September 29, 2024.

The investigation led by INTERPOL NCB revealed that Nnayereugo murdered Onuwabhagbe at his residence on July 13, 2023, after which he fled Nigeria and deceptively released an online video claiming responsibility for the act in order to mislead investigators. Following his designation as a wanted individual by the NPF on October 13, 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued to facilitate his apprehension globally.

Nnayereugo was initially apprehended in Freetown, Sierra Leone on October 20, 2023, but escaped during a prison break on November 26, 2023. He subsequently evaded capture while traversing several regions, including West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East, under various false identities before finally relocating to Doha, Qatar on January 24, 2025.

Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with counterfeit documentation, Nnayereugo secured illegal employment while concealing his true identity until he was identified and arrested by Qatari authorities in February 2025 through advanced biometrics. His extradition request, subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, facilitated his return to Nigeria.

Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun commended the collaborative international efforts that contributed to the success of the extradition. He expressed gratitude to the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their cooperation, affirming the NPF’s commitment to ensuring diligent prosecution and upholding justice for all Nigerians.

The successful extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo from Qatar underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing transnational crime. The Nigeria Police Force, supported by INTERPOL and various governmental agencies, demonstrated a robust commitment to justice in this case. With Nnayereugo facing murder charges upon his return, the NPF remains dedicated to ensuring thorough prosecution to uphold the safety of the public.

Original Source: guardian.ng