The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the successful extradition of Benjamin Nnayereugo, popularly known as Killaboi, from Doha, Qatar, back to Nigeria, marking a significant breakthrough in the high-profile murder case of Miss Augusta Onuwabhagbe.
The suspect, who had been declared wanted for the alleged killing of 21-year-old Miss Onuwabhagbe, a First Class student at Lead City University, Ibadan, was brought into the country in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025.
This followed coordinated efforts involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Abuja, and judicial authorities in Qatar.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the extradition process was triggered by a formal petition submitted on September 29, 2024, by the victim’s family through their legal representatives.
INTERPOL NCB Abuja led the ensuing investigation which uncovered that Nnayereugo had murdered Miss Onuwabhagbe at his home—24A Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos—on July 13, 2023.
Following the crime, the suspect fled Nigeria and attempted to mislead authorities by posting a video online, falsely confessing to the murder.
In response, the Nigeria Police Force declared him wanted through the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department on October 13, 2023, and an INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently issued for his international apprehension.
He was initially captured in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on October 20, 2023, under a fake name, Kanu Princeton Samuel, but escaped custody amid a prison break on November 26, 2023.
Investigations revealed that he continued his run through several countries in West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East, using forged documents and aliases. He eventually resurfaced in Doha, Qatar, on January 24, 2025.
While in Qatar, Nnayereugo adopted the identity of “Toure Abdoulaye,” using a fake Guinean passport to secure illicit employment and stay under the radar.
However, enhanced biometric tracking and international collaboration between INTERPOL NCBs in Abuja and Doha led to his positive identification and arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025.
The Federal Ministry of Justice then processed a formal extradition request, which received approval from Qatari judicial officials, culminating in his return to Nigeria.
Commending the effort, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the international partnership that made the extradition possible.
He acknowledged the critical role played by INTERPOL NCB Abuja, the Qatari Government, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar.
“The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians,” ACP Adejobi stated.
Meanwhile, renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, to expedite the prosecution of the suspect now that he is back in the country.
Falana also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for collaborating with his law firm, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, during the extradition process.
He stated, “We are particularly indebted to the mother of the deceased, Mrs Okonye Nneji, who furnished us with vital information on the movements of the suspect since he escaped from Nigeria two years ago. This is a challenge to all Nigerians to always pursue the cause of justice in order to end impunity in the country. Having confirmed that the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department has completed an investigation into the cold murder of Miss Onuwabhagbe, we hereby call on the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, to fast-track the prosecution of the suspect.”
