A Nigerian woman who rose to prominence within one of the most powerful emerging criminal networks was involved in trafficking women for exploitation in prostitution across Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy. She faced arrest and extradition after years on the run, as reported by Italian police. The case highlights a transnational crime operation that bridged Africa and Europe and drew immediate attention from international law enforcement. [Attribution: Italian police, Interpol]
The lengthy flight of a 48-year-old figure linked to this network culminated at Roman Ciampino airport after the Nigerian government approved extradition on 10 February, closing a chapter that had stretched over more than a decade. The case drew attention as one of the few female individuals ever counted among top international fugitives on Interpol lists since 2010. [Attribution: Interpol, Italian authorities]
In Italy, the individual was sentenced to 13 years in prison for crimes including complicity, slavery, and human trafficking. Authorities described the person as a leading representative of what is often described as a Nigerian mafia network, among the most dangerous and expansive organized crime groups operating on a global scale. The sentence reflects a concerted effort by Italian law enforcement to dismantle trafficking rings that move victims across borders. [Attribution: Italian police]
Investigations conducted by the Ancona Mobile Brigade between 2006 and 2007 traced the network’s activity to the recruitment and transport of Nigerian women to Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The operation employed violence and threats to control victims and their families, ensuring continued participation in the criminal prostitution business. The probe highlighted the international reach of the network and its reliance on fear and coercion to sustain trafficking flows. [Attribution: Ancona Mobile Brigade]
After more than 12 years of pursuit, Nigerian security services arrested the suspect on 4 June 2022 under a red notice issued by Italy, following intensive search efforts that included collaboration with Italian agents. The arrest marked a turning point in the pursuit of a long-running international offender and showcased the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in tackling organized crime. [Attribution: Department of State Services Nigeria, Italian authorities]
The extradition is described as a milestone in Italy–Nigeria relations, cited as the first pilot case under the Extradition Treaty that entered into force in 2020. The note accompanying the transfer underscores the growing importance of formal agreements in returning fugitives and restraining criminal networks that operate across continents. [Attribution: Italian government, Nigerian authorities]
Officials stressed that Africa has become a strategic region in the global effort to locate fugitives and curb organized crime. They noted that developing African countries are frequently involved in money laundering schemes linked to large criminal enterprises, underscoring the necessity of sustained international police cooperation for effective enforcement. [Attribution: Governor Vittorio Rizzi, Director of the Criminal Police Headquarters]