The Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Command, in collaboration with INTERPOL, has successfully arrested a 50-year-old accountant, Olusola Ajayi Joshua, nearly a year after he allegedly fled the country while under investigation for a high-profile burglary case. Joshua was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja on June 1, 2026, just hours after arriving in Nigeria from Canada. The arrest followed a petition filed on July 11, 2025, by a woman who reported a burglary at her residence on Sesayon Street in the Government Reserved Area, GRA, Ikeja. She claimed that valuables worth over N150 million were stolen during the break-in.
The complainant, whose late father had employed Joshua as an accountant for over 17 years, suspected him and six others of involvement in the crime. She revealed that she had given Joshua a spare key to the apartment in 2022 to allow him access during the rainy season for roof leak repairs. When she visited the property in July 2025, she discovered signs of forced entry and missing items, prompting her to report the incident to the police. Investigators from the Zonal Servicom Team launched an immediate probe, which led to the arrest of six suspects who had access to the residence. These individuals were later arraigned in court after the investigation concluded.
However, police discovered that Joshua had traveled to Canada in July 2025, shortly after the alleged burglary, and was subsequently declared wanted. Despite repeated attempts to secure his cooperation, he remained unresponsive. On July 16, 2025, the Zone 2 Command sought INTERPOL’s assistance, resulting in Joshua’s international travel documents being placed on a global watchlist. This coordinated effort proved effective when INTERPOL operatives in Lagos intercepted him at the airport on June 1, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m. He was formally handed over to Zone 2 Headquarters the following day.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Olohundare Jimoh, confirmed the arrest during a press briefing. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating crime and ensuring that suspects cannot evade justice by fleeing abroad. Joshua is currently undergoing further investigation and is expected to face prosecution in due course. The successful apprehension highlights the effectiveness of Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies when working in tandem with global partners. This case underscores the commitment of the police to uphold justice, even when suspects attempt to escape through international borders. The arrest sends a strong message that no one is beyond the reach of the law.
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