INTERPOL Arrests Multiple Wanted Criminals at Nigerian Airports – FG Confirms

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the arrest of several wanted criminals listed on INTERPOL’s red notice at major Nigerian airports, thanks to a newly enhanced security database integrated at the nation’s entry points.

The announcement was made by Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a regional workshop on Maritime Border Security held in Lagos.

“It will interest you that in the last couple of weeks, within just two days, a lot of people on the INTERPOL red list were arrested at our airports, preventing them from coming in,” said Tunji-Ojo.

He disclosed that the individuals arrested came from Italy, Ireland, and other unspecified countries, noting that they were intercepted immediately upon arrival in Nigeria.

The Minister attributed the success of these interceptions to Nigeria’s modernized and centralized immigration database system, which now enables real-time international security checks at air terminals.

“Eighteen years ago, they would have entered Nigeria unnoticed. But now our terminals are in sync — integrated into a central security system,” he added.

The arrests underline Nigeria’s progress in tightening border security, and underscore a broader regional push to crack down on transnational crime and illegal immigration.