Indian authorities have arrested and deported a Nigerian nationwide over alleged unlawful keep and hyperlinks to drug trafficking, the police mentioned on Tuesday.
The Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) mentioned the suspect, Obasi James Victor, 38, was apprehended in Tolichowki, Hyderabad, following intelligence studies that he was overstaying within the nation and associating with drug peddlers.
Police recognized Obasi as a Nigerian citizen resident in New Delhi, including that he was unable to supply legitimate journey or residency paperwork when questioned by officers.
In line with the police, preliminary investigations confirmed that Obasi entered India on a vacationer visa by means of Chhatrapati Shivaji Worldwide Airport on December 31, 2011.
Officers mentioned he initially engaged in a fabric export enterprise to Nigeria earlier than later opening a restaurant in Delhi often called William African Restaurant, the place he lived together with his household.
Nevertheless, investigators mentioned his passport and visa expired a number of years in the past and that he continued to reside in India illegally.
Police alleged that in this era, Obasi established contacts with drug peddlers and have become concerned in drug trafficking and different illegal actions, which they mentioned have been geared toward sustaining a lavish life-style.
Following his arrest, the police mentioned deportation proceedings have been initiated in collaboration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Workplace (FRRO) in Hyderabad.
As Obasi’s journey paperwork had expired, authorities obtained an emergency journey doc from the Nigerian Excessive Fee in New Delhi, in addition to an exit allow from the FRRO.
Police mentioned his deportation was carried out from Rajiv Gandhi Worldwide Airport, with a crew of H-NEW officers, led by Inspector G.S. Daniel, escorting him to Lagos within the early hours of January 13, 2026.
The police mentioned the motion was taken to forestall the suspect from participating in additional illegal actions that would pose a threat to nationwide safety.
H-NEW additionally warned that some international nationals enter India on medical, pupil or enterprise visas and stay within the nation illegally after their paperwork expire, generally turning into concerned within the transport, provide and sale of narcotics.