Two Nigerian nationals who reportedly escaped from a prison facility in Nepal during recent anti-government protests have been arrested in India, according to security sources. The dramatic arrest was carried out by operatives of India’s paramilitary forces following a coordinated operation across state lines.
The duo had been serving sentences in Nepal for alleged involvement in fraud-related activities before the jailbreak occurred earlier this month. During the height of the anti-government demonstrations in Kathmandu, widespread chaos gave inmates in certain facilities the opportunity to stage daring escapes. Authorities later confirmed that several foreign prisoners were unaccounted for, with the Nigerians among those listed as fugitives.
Indian authorities said the pair were apprehended after weeks of intelligence sharing between Nepalese law enforcement and Indian security agencies. Acting on credible information, operatives tracked the fugitives to a hideout in northern India, where they were captured without major resistance.
A senior Indian security officer, while confirming the arrest, said: “These individuals took advantage of political unrest in Nepal to escape from lawful custody. Our coordinated surveillance and cross-border intelligence cooperation ensured they were located and arrested. They will be handed over through the appropriate diplomatic and legal processes.”
The Nigerians, whose identities have not yet been officially disclosed, are now in the custody of India’s paramilitary force pending extradition arrangements. Nepalese officials have already initiated formal requests for their return to face the remainder of their sentences.
The incident has drawn international attention not only because of the cross-border nature of the operation but also because it highlights growing concerns about security lapses in Nepalese prisons. Human rights organizations in Nepal had earlier raised alarm about overcrowded facilities and poor security measures, conditions that may have worsened during the recent unrest.
In Nigeria, news of the arrests has sparked conversations about the activities of nationals abroad and the recurring reports of Nigerians facing legal troubles in Asia. Analysts warn that such incidents further complicate the country’s diplomatic image, particularly in regions already skeptical of foreign nationals.
For India and Nepal, the arrests underscore the importance of regional security cooperation in South Asia, where porous borders often make cross-border crimes difficult to manage. Officials from both countries have pledged to strengthen their collaboration to ensure that fugitives are not able to exploit political instability for criminal advantage.
As at press time, the Nigerian government has not issued an official statement regarding the fate of the two nationals. It remains unclear if consular assistance will be extended, though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to comment once the extradition process begins.
The arrests are expected to send a strong message to fugitives attempting to evade justice through cross-border movements, signaling that closer international cooperation is increasingly closing such escape routes.
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