ABUJA: The Nigeria Police Force has successfully extradited a high-profile fraud suspect, Abubakar Muhammed, from the United Arab Emirates following his arrest in Dubai on April 15, 2025.
Muhammed, who had been on the run since 2023, was extradited to Nigeria on Friday, May 23, after a coordinated operation involving INTERPOL NCB Abuja, INTERPOL Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Police, and the Nigerian Consulate General in Dubai.
Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
He said Muhammad had been the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice after allegedly defrauding an Abuja-based international businessman of $307,500, under the pretense of shipping luxury vehicles from the UAE to Nigeria.
According to Adejobi, investigations revealed that Muhammad received the payment through a third-party FCMB bank account belonging to one Anas Usaini, a resident of Kano. The funds were then funneled through money laundering operations in Dubai.
The case originated from a complaint filed in July 2023 by a businessman based in Abuja, Adejobi stated. Muhammad posed as a shipping agent and convinced the victim to contract him for the shipment of ten luxury vehicles from the UAE to Nigeria.
After securing full payment, he disappeared, leaving the complainant with a forged bill of lading.
He added that Muhammad’s arrest and extradition mark a major victory in the fight against transnational financial crime.
After months of evasion, Muhammad was apprehended by Dubai Police on April 15. His extradition to Nigeria and forthcoming prosecution at the Federal High Court signify a strong message to criminal elements operating across borders, Adejobi said.
The police urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious financial dealings to help curb international fraud and related offenses.
