The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and repatriated Acar Huseyin, a 61-year-old Turkish national, who fled his home country to evade a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of fraud.
Huseyin was handed over to Turkish authorities in Istanbul following a coordinated operation led by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, the police confirmed.
According to the Force Headquarters, Huseyin was convicted earlier this year by the Istanbul Anadolu High Criminal Court and sentenced to 14 years, 8 months, and 10 days for fraud-related offences.
“Instead of submitting himself to serve his jail term, he escaped Turkey and travelled through parts of the Middle East before entering Nigeria in an attempt to disappear.
“His flight triggered an international alert. In July 2025, INTERPOL NCB Ankara issued a Red Notice, calling on member nations to help locate and arrest him. Acting on the alert, INTERPOL NCB Abuja launched discreet, intelligence-driven operations that eventually traced him to the Federal Capital Territory, where he was arrested”, the Police said.
The statement issued by Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, said all legal and diplomatic procedures were completed before Huseyin was placed on a return flight to Turkey to begin serving his outstanding sentence.
Read also: Police ban sale, use of knockouts, fireworks in Plateau
Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, applauded the INTERPOL unit for the successful operation, stating that Nigeria remains committed to global efforts against transnational crime.
“Nigeria will not serve as a refuge for any fugitive or escaped convict,” the IGP said, stressing the country’s obligation to honour international law enforcement cooperation frameworks.
