The Nigeria Police Force, through its INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has successfully repatriated the sum of 23,000 United States Dollars recovered from an international romance scammer to a victim in the Cayman Islands.
The repatriation followed a formal request from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, which sought the assistance of INTERPOL NCB Abuja in investigating a Nigerian national, Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, accused of defrauding a resident of the Cayman Islands via an online romance scam.
Acting on the request, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja carried out discreet, intelligence-led investigations that resulted in the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the stolen funds.
Upon completion of the necessary documentation and in collaboration with international partners, the recovered sum was formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service through the British High Commission in Abuja. The handover was received on behalf of the Cayman Islands authorities by Mr. Shaun McLeary for onward delivery to the victim.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the suspect will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigations.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the successful repatriation highlights the Force’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing, strong international cooperation and the disruption of transnational cybercrime networks.
Hundeyin added that the Police remain resolute in ensuring that proceeds of crime are traced, recovered and returned to victims, while offenders are identified and prosecuted in line with applicable laws and international best practices.
