The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the extradition of fugitive Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as Killaboi, from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria, where he will face murder charges over the killing of 21-year-old Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, a first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan.
In a detailed statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Muyiwa Adejobi, the police said Killaboi was returned to the country in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025, following months of intense international manhunt and legal processes involving INTERPOL, the Ministry of Justice, and the Qatari government.
The case dates back to July 13, 2023, when Augusta Oseodion was found murdered at Killaboi’s residence at 24A Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos. Augusta was not only a young woman full of potential, but she was also celebrated in her academic circle for graduating with first-class honours.
The horrific crime shocked the nation, especially the academic community and women’s rights groups, as details of the murder began to emerge. Killaboi, who was believed to be romantically involved with the victim, allegedly killed her during a private visit.
After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and disappeared from public view. His disappearance triggered a nationwide search, and on October 13, 2023, the Nigeria Police declared him wanted.
In a strange turn of events, he later released a video online where he appeared to confess to the murder. However, police described the video as a “deceptive strategy” intended to mislead investigators and the public while he remained on the run.
According to police records, the breakthrough in the manhunt came after Augusta’s family submitted a formal petition through their legal representatives on September 29, 2024. This petition prompted INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja to launch an international investigation.
Soon after, police traced Killaboi to Sierra Leone, where he was arrested in Freetown on October 20, 2023. He had been using a false identity: “Kanu Princeton Samuel.” However, he escaped custody just over a month later, during a prison break on November 26, 2023.
Undeterred, INTERPOL and the Nigerian authorities continued their search. Killaboi was tracked through several countries in West Africa, East Asia, and eventually to Qatar in the Middle East. He moved frequently, using fake names and forged documents to avoid capture.
When he arrived in Doha on January 24, 2025, he assumed a new identity, “Toure Abdoulaye,” and presented a fake Guinean passport. With this alias, he managed to secure illegal employment while keeping a low profile.
His cover was blown when INTERPOL NCB Abuja and their Qatari counterparts in Doha used advanced biometric systems to verify his true identity. In February 2025, Qatari authorities arrested him, ending a long and complicated manhunt across continents.
Following his arrest, the Nigerian Ministry of Justice submitted a formal extradition request to Qatar, which was granted after a legal review. The extradition was finalized and executed in April, with Killaboi arriving back in Nigeria under tight security.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the international collaboration that made the extradition possible. He thanked the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their roles in capturing and returning the fugitive.
“This case shows what is possible when nations work together to tackle transnational crimes,” the IGP said in the statement. “We remain fully committed to ensuring that the suspect faces justice and that the rights of the victim and her family are fully respected.”
The Nigeria Police Force has promised a thorough and transparent prosecution of the case. Legal proceedings are expected to begin in Lagos, where the crime took place.
Already, public interest in the case has surged again following the news of Killaboi’s return. Women’s rights groups, civil society organisations, and youth advocacy networks have called for a speedy trial and maximum punishment if the suspect is found guilty.
Miss Augusta’s family, who had tirelessly pushed for justice through legal channels and public advocacy, have not yet issued a public statement since the suspect’s extradition.
The case has also reignited conversations about gender-based violence and the safety of women in Nigeria. Several groups are using this incident to highlight the increasing number of women killed or harmed in domestic and romantic settings.
