By Chinenye Onwusonye
The Nigeria Police Force, through its INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, has repatriated the sum of $23,000 to a victim of an international online romance scam based in the Cayman Islands.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, and dated February 6, 2026.
According to the statement, the repatriation followed a 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 Cayman Islands resident through an online romance scam.
Acting on the request, INTERPOL NCB Abuja carried out discreet, intelligence-led investigations that led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the $23,000.
Upon completion of all necessary documentation and in collaboration with international partners, the recovered funds were formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service through the British High Commission in Abuja. The handover was represented by Mr. Shaun McLeary to ensure secure delivery of the funds to the victim.
The statement added that the suspect would be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force said the successful repatriation underscores its commitment to intelligence-driven policing, effective international cooperation, and the disruption of transnational cybercrime networks, noting that it remains resolute in tracing, recovering, and returning proceeds of crime to victims while bringing offenders to justice.
