In the second quarter of 2026, a surge in arrests, convictions, and imprisonments of Nigerians abroad has drawn attention to rising criminal activities involving citizens of Nigeria across multiple continents. Between April and June, scores of Nigerians were apprehended in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand, Cyprus, and other countries for crimes including murder, sexual assault, internet fraud, drug trafficking, and identity theft. The cases spanned a wide range of individuals—from academics and politicians to Yahoo Boys and religious figures—highlighting the global reach of Nigerian-linked criminal networks.
On April 14, Oluwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, a UK-based Nigerian, was charged with murder for allegedly stabbing a film student to death. The same day, Anthony Sobogun received a 28-year prison sentence in the UK for sexually abusing children. Just days later, Nnenna Oketa was caught with seven forged passports at a Canadian airport, while the UK-based Akande couple was jailed for hacking Transport for London employees’ data to steal tax rebates. In the U.S., the FBI arrested Akinade Raheem and Abayomi Eletu for a $100 million identity fraud scheme, and Kazeem Animashaun pleaded guilty to $50 million wire fraud.
The month of April also saw the death of Olaolukitan Abel in police custody after he opened fire in Atlanta, killing residents. Thai authorities arrested Patrick, a 47-year-old Nigerian, for alleged cocaine smuggling. On April 25, Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo, a 53-year-old Nigerian, was captured by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for child molestation and sexual battery, and will be deported after serving his sentence. Meanwhile, Patrick Nwaokwu was jailed in the U.S. for selling forged nursing diplomas.
In May, Nigerian student Obasi Chimezirm Princewill was jailed in Cyprus for sexually molesting a woman and recording the act. Chidozie Okeke was arrested in New York for expired documents and drug possession, while Louis Junior, a 21-year-old Nigerian student, was nabbed in Thailand during a drug crackdown. Nigerian correctional officer Ayodele Abiodun Afosi was arrested in Texas for fleeing an accident, and Clinton Ubasinachi Ekechukwu was caught in Thailand via AI facial recognition for visa overstay.
Notably, celebrated Nigerian professor Nkechy Ezeh was sentenced to 70 months in the U.S. for $1.4 million NGO fraud and money laundering, while Charles Emesim received 115 months for money laundering and an inheritance scam. Samuel ‘PutSammy’ Ugberaese, a fugitive for four years, was extradited to the U.S. and now faces 40 years for romance scam involvement. Nigerian priest Anthony Odiong was convicted of sexual assault and could face life imprisonment under Texas law.
In June, Fawaz Abdulkareem was sentenced to life in prison in the UK for murdering Daniel Manuel. Festus Anyiam was convicted in Georgia for stealing government funds via a fraudulent tax refund scheme. Kingsley O. was arrested in Turkey for swindling a Hong Kong dentist of $2.5 million in a romance scam. Thai police captured Ikenna Patrick Azubuike, a suspected cocaine kingpin, and two others, Emeka and Anayo, for cross-border drug trafficking. Nurse Olufemi Olaifa was arraigned in the U.S. for sexually assaulting a woman at a rehab center, and Bukky Olukoga pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialu, chairman of Ogbaru LGA in Anambra, was sentenced to five years for defrauding divorcees and widows of $3.5 million in a romance scam.
These incidents underscore the growing international scrutiny of Nigerian nationals involved in transnational crime, and the increasing collaboration between law enforcement agencies worldwide to dismantle criminal networks. The cases also highlight the need for stronger prevention, rehabilitation, and repatriation policies to address the root causes of such crimes.
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