Nigeria Police Collaborate with INTERPOL to Nab International Romance Scammer and Recover Funds
The Nigeria Police Force INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja has achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against transnational cybercrime. In a meticulously coordinated operation, authorities have arrested Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, an individual implicated in an elaborate international romance scam. The suspect defrauded a resident of the Cayman Islands out of a substantial sum of $23,000 through deceptive online interactions.
Discreet Investigation Leads to Arrest and Recovery
Following a formal request for assistance from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched a discreet and intelligence-led investigation. This proactive approach culminated in the successful apprehension of the suspect and the recovery of the entire $23,000. Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed these details in an official statement released on Friday, February 6, 2026, via the Nigeria Police Force's official social media channels.
The recovered funds have been formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service through the British High Commission in Abuja, represented by Mr. Shaun McLeary. This handover ensures the secure delivery of the money back to the victim, marking a rare and commendable instance of successful asset repatriation in such cases.
Emphasis on International Cooperation and Justice
This operation underscores the Nigeria Police Force's unwavering commitment to robust international collaboration. The force is dedicated to disrupting sophisticated transnational cybercrime networks that exploit victims across borders. The spokesperson reiterated the police's resolve to trace, recover, and return the proceeds of crime to victims, ensuring that offenders are identified and brought to justice in strict accordance with applicable laws and international best practices.
The suspect, Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, is currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation. This case serves as a stark warning to other cybercriminals operating within and from Nigeria.
A Pattern of Romance Scams and Law Enforcement Response
This arrest is part of a broader pattern of intensified law enforcement action against romance scams. In a related incident, Airport police operatives previously arrested a 24-year-old suspect at the Lagos airport over an alleged N48.5 million romance fraud scheme. Investigations linked that individual to an online syndicate using fake identities and fabricated banking platforms to deceive victims.
Furthermore, international jurisdictions are also clamping down on such crimes. A US District Judge recently sentenced Nigerian national Adetomiwa Akindele to nearly six years in prison for orchestrating a $1.6 million romance scam that targeted an elderly American woman. Post-sentence, Akindele faces deportation to Nigeria and a restitution order to repay the defrauded amount.
The successful resolution of the $23,000 case in Abuja demonstrates a growing, coordinated global effort to combat financial cybercrime and protect citizens from these emotionally and financially devastating schemes.
