NPF Arrests, Repatriates Chadian Fugitive Wanted For Murder

By Adebola Muili

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested and repatriated a Chadian national, Mahadijiria Abdoulaye, who was wanted by authorities in N’Djamena, Chad, over the alleged murder of Nazik Mahamat Saleh.

Abdoulaye, who was also linked to narcotics trafficking activities in Chad, was arrested on August 5, 2026, by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, at Railway Quarters, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, following coordinated intelligence operations.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, August 15, 2026, adding that the suspect was successfully repatriated to N’Djamena on August 14 through Lomé, Togo.

According to the statement, Abdoulaye was wanted in connection with the torture and killing of Nazik Mahamat Saleh on May 3, 2026. An international warrant of arrest was subsequently issued by the Court of Appeal, N’Djamena, on June 22, 2026, against Abdoulaye and her accomplice, Fatime Senoussi Mouktar.

The police said Abdoulaye fled to Nigeria following the incident but was traced and apprehended in Kano through coordinated intelligence efforts.

Her repatriation was carried out by INTERPOL NCB Abuja in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB N’Djamena under established bilateral police cooperation arrangements, to enable her face the judicial process in Chad.

Commending the operation, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, praised the INTERPOL NCB Abuja operatives for their professionalism, diligence and effective coordination with their Chadian counterparts.

Disu said the successful arrest and repatriation demonstrated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring that fugitives do not evade justice by crossing international borders.

He added that the Force would continue to leverage international policing channels and partnerships to track fugitives, disrupt trans-border criminal networks and prevent persons wanted for serious crimes from finding safe haven in Nigeria.

The NPF reiterated its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the fight against trans-border crimes and ensuring that suspects wanted for serious offences are brought before the appropriate authorities to face justice.