In a major breakthrough in the global fight against transnational crime, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through its INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, has successfully extradited a notorious Nigerian fugitive, Abubakar Aboki Muhammed, from the United Arab Emirates to face prosecution over a $307,500 fraud case.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Department (Ref: CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/439), the extradition, executed on Friday, May 23, 2025, follows months of high-level international cooperation and intelligence sharing between Nigerian authorities and their counterparts in the UAE.
Muhammed had been the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice initiated by the Nigerian NCB after being implicated in an elaborate scheme involving obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, and money laundering.
The fraudulent saga began in July 2023, when a prominent Abuja-based international businessman filed a formal complaint against Muhammed. Posing as a licensed shipping agent, Muhammed had allegedly promised to facilitate the shipment of ten high-end luxury vehicles from the UAE to Nigeria through reputable logistics firms.
Police investigations later unraveled the scam, revealing that after building trust and establishing what appeared to be a legitimate business relationship, Muhammed deceitfully obtained $307,500 from the victim. Instead of fulfilling the shipment agreement, he rerouted the funds to a third-party account at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), registered under one Anas Usaini, a resident of Kano State. Forensic financial analysis linked this account to a broader money laundering operation with tentacles in Dubai.
To bolster his deception, Muhammed reportedly issued a forged bill of lading to the complainant—an apparent attempt to fake proof of shipment. Once the transaction was completed, the fugitive vanished, cutting off all communication and triggering an international manhunt.
The turning point came on April 15, 2025, when Muhammed was apprehended by Dubai Police through the combined efforts of INTERPOL NCBs in Abuja and Abu Dhabi, along with the support of the Nigerian Consulate General in Dubai. His extradition to Nigeria marked the climax of months of meticulous surveillance and diplomatic engagement.
The Nigeria Police Force has since hailed the development as a “significant milestone” in its ongoing campaign to dismantle international financial crime syndicates that manipulate global systems to escape justice.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the unwavering professionalism of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja and commended the collaborative synergy between international security agencies. “This extradition underscores our resolve to ensure that Nigerian fugitives, no matter where they hide, are brought to justice,” he stated.
Muhammed is currently in police custody and will be formally arraigned at the Federal High Court in the coming days, where he faces multiple charges related to fraud, forgery, and money laundering.
The Nigeria Police reaffirmed its commitment to deepening international cooperation in pursuit of justice, vowing to leave no stone unturned in tracking down and prosecuting criminals who exploit cross-border opportunities to perpetrate financial crimes.
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