NIGERIAN: Police Extradits Murder Of First-Class Student

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the successful extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria, where he is set to face prosecution for the murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe.

This was made known in a statement issued on Saturday, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

According to the statement, Nnayereugo, who had been declared wanted by the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department in October 2023, was returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Saturday, following coordinated efforts by the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, and Qatari judicial authorities.

The suspect is accused of murdering Miss Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, at his residence in Ajah, Lagos, on July 13, 2023.

Shortly after the incident, he fled the country and released a video online that purportedly served as a confession, which investigators described as a deceptive tactic to derail the case.

According to the statement, the extradition followed: “a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives dated 29th September 2024.”

The petition led to an investigation by INTERPOL NCB Abuja, which revealed that Nnayereugo murdered Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, at his residence in Ajah, Lagos, on July 13, 2023.

The statement reads: “After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.”

The suspect was declared wanted by the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department on October 13, 2023, and an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his arrest.

He was initially captured in Sierra Leone under a false identity, but escaped custody during a prison break on November 26, 2023.

Further investigations revealed that Nnayereugo evaded law enforcement by travelling across West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East under various forged identities before settling in Doha, Qatar, on January 24, 2025. He operated there under the alias “Toure Abdoulaye” using a fake Guinean passport.

The police further noted: “Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025.”

Following a formal extradition request processed by the Federal Ministry of Justice and approved by Qatari authorities, the fugitive was successfully returned to Nigeria.

Commending the collaborative efforts, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun said: “This operation underscores the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes.”

He further expressed appreciation to the Honorable Attorney-General of the Federation, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar “for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.”

Reassuring the public, the Inspector-General added: “The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of our dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.”

Nnayereugo is currently in custody and is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days.