Dutch Police Offer Record €2m Reward for Cocaine Trafficking Fugitive

Record Reward Offered for Fugitive Drug Lord

Dutch authorities have offered a record award of €2m for information leading to the arrest of Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe's most-wanted men. [2] Dutch police describe the 35-year-old, also known as Bolle Jos, as a key player in the international cocaine trade. [2] Commenting on the decision to increase the reward ten-fold, Dutch justice minister David van Weel said it was necessary given the threat that Leijdekkers poses to national security, democratic rule of law, and the international legal order. [2] Dutch prosecutors said capturing Leijdekkers was their highest priority and any information shared would be kept secret. [2] He is listed by Europol as among their most-wanted fugitives. [2]

Leijdekkers' Convictions and Alleged Crimes

In 2024, a court in Rotterdam sentenced Leijdekkers in absentia to 24 years in prison after finding him guilty of smuggling more than seven metric tons of cocaine. [2] Leijdekkers has also been sentenced to 79 years in prison in Belgium. [2] Dutch authorities estimate he has made tens of millions of euros from cocaine smuggling and accuse him of money laundering and involvement in the use of extreme violence. [2] Several other police investigations in the Netherlands are ongoing. [2]

Suspected Location and Extradition Issues

In January 2025, Dutch police said Leijdekkers was believed to be living in Sierra Leone and going by the name Omar Sherrif. [2] Images apparently showing Leijdekkers in the company of President Julius Maada Bio and other officials have previously emerged. [2] He was pictured at a church service in Tihun, Sierra Leone, in January 2025. [2] Dutch prosecutors have demanded his extradition but Sierra Leone has refused to cooperate, prompting the EU to cut some aid to the country. [2] West Africa is a major transit point for cocaine trafficking from Latin America. [2]

Nigerian Fraud Case Involving Billions

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Adonu Kingsley Ifeanyi and his company, S Mobile Netzone Limited, for alleged N12.5 billion fraud. [1] The defendants appeared before trial judge Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos. [1] He faces five counts of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. [1] The commission put the amount involved at N12,556,837,842. [1] S Mobile Netzone Limited was among 58 companies the EFCC named in March 2025 in a public alert on alleged illegal investment schemes. [1] The commission warned Nigerians against dealing with the companies, saying they were not registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Securities and Exchange Commission. [1] According to one count, Mr Ifeanyi received N1.24 billion through a bank account belonging to the company between 4 June 2021 and 31 October 2022. [1] The EFCC alleged that he knew the money was part of proceeds of unlawful activity involving obtaining money by false pretence. [1] In another count, he was accused of receiving N6.79 billion through the same account between 15 January 2020 and 14 April 2022, knowing that the money was proceeds of stealing. [1] The defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts. [1] Following their pleas, prosecution lawyer Suleiman I. Suleiman asked the court to fix a date for trial. [1] Mr Bogoro granted the request and admitted the defendants to bail on the same terms and conditions earlier granted by another judge C. J. Aneke on 8 July 2025. [1] The case was adjourned for the commencement of trial. [1]

Kidnapping Prevention in Nasarawa State

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services, have arrested a suspected kidnapper while attempting to collect a N200,000 ransom from a female resident in Nasarawa State. [5] The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was arrested at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area of the state during a joint security operation conducted by troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS personnel. [5] The arrest followed intelligence reports that Iliyasu had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid N200,000. [5] The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a Monday statement, saying the DSS alerted the military to the alleged threat on October 29. [5] According to the statement, the information prompted the deployment of a coordinated operation to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction. [5] To facilitate his arrest, a soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the individual assigned to deliver the ransom. [5] The statement said the suspect was apprehended while collecting the money, with security operatives recovering ₦200,000 believed to be the ransom demanded from the intended victim. [5] The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-led intervention, noting that it prevented a possible kidnapping. [5] It said the operation also underscored the importance of cooperation among security agencies in tackling criminal activities. [5] Following his arrest, Iliyasu was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution. [5] The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, praised the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective coordination. [5] Gara urged security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to tackle kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility. [5] He also emphasised the need for continued inter-agency cooperation, stating that it was essential to protect lives, safeguard communities and maintain peace in the region. [5]

Ongoing Investigations and Context

Dutch prosecutors have demanded his extradition but Sierra Leone has refused to cooperate, prompting the EU to cut some aid to the country. [2] S Mobile Netzone Limited was among 58 companies the EFCC named in March 2025 in a public alert on alleged illegal investment schemes. [1] The commission warned Nigerians against dealing with the companies, saying they were not registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria or the Securities and Exchange Commission. [1] Several other police investigations in the Netherlands are ongoing. [2]

What to watch next: Dutch prosecutors continue to treat the capture of Leijdekkers as their highest priority while the EFCC case against Adonu Kingsley Ifeanyi proceeds to trial and security forces in Nasarawa State maintain joint operations against kidnapping threats.