Nigeria Police Repatriate 61-Year-Old Turkish Fugitive To Istanbul To Serve Jail Term

The Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a 61-year-old Turkish national, Acar Huseyin, to Turkey to serve an outstanding prison sentence after months on the run.

Huseyin, who was convicted of fraud by the Istanbul Anadolu High Criminal Court earlier this year, fled Turkey shortly after the judgment to evade a sentence totalling 14 years, 8 months and 10 days. Security sources said he travelled through parts of the Middle East before arriving in Nigeria in an attempt to avoid arrest.

In July 2025, INTERPOL NCB Ankara issued a Red Notice requesting member countries to locate and apprehend him. Acting on the alert, INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched discreet, intelligence-driven operations that led to his arrest in Abuja.

Police authorities said all necessary documentation and coordination with international partners were completed before Huseyin was flown out of Nigeria and handed over to Turkish authorities in Istanbul to begin serving his sentence.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the INTERPOL unit for what he described as a professional and efficient operation. He reiterated that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for fugitives or escaped convicts, adding that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to fulfilling its international obligations and strengthening global cooperation against transnational crime.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the repatriation in a statement issued on Tuesday.