The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested and repatriated Acar Huseyin, a 61-year-old Turkish national who absconded from his country after being convicted of fraud earlier in the year.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the force, said Huseyin was convicted by the Istanbul Anadolu high criminal court and fled shortly after judgement to avoid serving a sentence of 14 years, eight months, and 10 days.

Hundeyin explained that the fugitive travelled through the Middle East before entering Nigeria.

“In July 2025, INTERPOL NCB Ankara published a Red Notice, requesting member countries to locate and arrest the fugitive. Acting on this request, INTERPOL NCB Abuja initiated discreet intelligence-led operations which led to his arrest in Abuja,” the statement reads.

The police spokesperson confirmed that Huseyin has been repatriated to Istanbul to begin his sentence after completing the required documentation, in collaboration with international partners.

He added that Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), commended the INTERPOL unit for what he described as a professional operation, insisting that Nigeria would not serve as a refuge for fugitives or escaped convicts.

Egbetokun stated that the police remain committed to honouring international obligations, strengthening cooperation with global law enforcement agencies, and supporting efforts against transnational crime.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) says it has received “disturbing reports” alleging delayed or withheld security intervention during attacks in several predominantly Christian communities.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the bishops condemned the country’s security situation and addressed accusations of a Christian “genocide” — a claim the federal government has consistently dismissed.

The clerics said the allegation was linked to what they described as a “prolonged” pattern of assaults targeting members of the Christian faith.

“It is a matter of grave concern that several predominantly Christian communities, particularly in the Northern and middle belt regions of the country, have come under repeated and brutal attacks, resulting in heavy casualties and the tragic loss of many Christian lives,” the statement reads.

“In some instances, there have been disturbing reports of delayed or withheld security responses, giving the impression of possible collusion or a lack of will to act.”

The bishops noted that the “near-total destruction and occupation” of affected settlements, as well as continued assaults on displaced persons in camps, had heightened public fear and reinforced claims of “genocide” among some groups.

“Yet, mindful of the sacred dignity and inestimable worth of every human life, we are equally deeply concerned that Muslims and many other innocent citizens of diverse ethnic backgrounds have also been victims of this same cruelty that continues to desecrate our common humanity,” they added.

The CBCN called on the federal government to investigate the reports surrounding delayed or withheld security responses and to rebuild public confidence in state protection mechanisms.

The bishops also urged authorities to ensure that those responsible for recent kidnappings across Kebbi, Kwara, Borno and Niger states are brought to justice.

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to enforce a comprehensive cordon around forests in Kwara and neighbouring states following recent killings and abductions linked to armed groups.

In a post on his X page, Tinubu instructed the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to expand aerial surveillance across large forested areas in Kwara that have been identified as hideouts for bandits and terrorists.

The president also confirmed that all abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi state had been rescued, commending the security forces for what he described as a swift and coordinated operation.

“All the schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State have been safely rescued. I must commend our security forces for their swift response, and the parents and community for their strength during this period,” he wrote.

Tinubu added that, in response to recent incidents of kidnapping and terrorism, he had ordered a full security lockdown across the affected forest belts in the state.

He said the Air Force has been directed to maintain continuous surveillance over remote locations while synchronising activities with ground operations to identify, isolate, disrupt, and neutralise hostile groups.

According to Tinubu, the directive also covers forest corridors within the Kebbi and Niger axis.

He further urged residents to report any suspicious movement to assist the ongoing efforts aimed at securing affected communities.

The schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi state, were rescued on Tuesday.

The abduction occurred at dawn on the same day a military detachment was said to have departed the school premises.

The Kebbi incident was followed by similar abductions in Eruku, Kwara state, and Papiri in Niger state.

All 38 victims abducted in Eruku were freed on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the Niger state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that 50 out of more than 300 students abducted from a Catholic school in the state had escaped from their captors.