Police Reveal Extradited UK Murder Suspect Matthew Adebiyi Has Igbo Mother, Yoruba Father, Dismiss Tribal Narrative
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The Nigeria Police Force has firmly dismissed attempts to frame the extradition of murder and drug trafficking suspect Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi to the United Kingdom as a tribal or ethnic matter, insisting that the case is strictly one of justice and criminal accountability .
The Force’s New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa , made the clarification on Friday in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), where he revealed that official records confirm Adebiyi is of mixed heritage, with an Igbo mother and a Yoruba father .
“Crime Has No Tribe, Justice Has No Ethnicity”
Giwa’s statement was unequivocal in rejecting any attempt to inject ethnic sentiment into the legal proceedings.
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“Crime has no tribe, justice has no ethnicity. Following Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi’s extradition to the UK, his international passport and official records confirm that his mother is Igbo and his father is Yoruba,” Giwa wrote.
He warned that portraying murder and drug trafficking charges as tribal issues is “both inaccurate and potentially harmful.”
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No Ethnic Dimension to the Case
The police spokesperson systematically dismantled any suggestion of ethnic motivation in the case.
“Matthew did not flee the UK because of his ethnicity. Joshua Boadu’s murder was not motivated by ethnic factors. The Nigeria Police Force did not facilitate this extradition on the basis of ethnicity. Justice has been served,” Giwa stated.
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He added: “Tribal identity should not influence legal proceedings. In this case, the facts are clear: a fugitive, a court order, and accountability.”
The Case: Eight Years on the Run
Adebiyi was extradited on April 14, 2026 , after spending nearly eight years as a fugitive in Nigeria following the June 2018 murder of Joshua Boadu in the United Kingdom.
In addition to the murder charge, Adebiyi faces charges of supplying crack cocaine between October 2017 and March 2018 .
According to Giwa, Adebiyi fled to Nigeria believing that distance would shield him from prosecution.
“He fled to Nigeria, thinking he would be safe. He was wrong,” Giwa wrote on Thursday.
The Extradition Process
The extradition followed a formal request submitted by UK authorities to INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja in September 2024 .
Key milestones in the case:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2018 | Joshua Boadu murdered in the UK |
| September 2024 | UK submits formal extradition request |
| January 23, 2025 | Adebiyi arrested in Nigeria |
| February 16, 2026 | Justice A. O. Faji of Federal High Court Lagos approves extradition |
| April 14, 2026 | Adebiyi handed over to UK law enforcement at MMIA Lagos |
Justice for Joshua Boadu’s Family
Giwa acknowledged the long wait endured by the victim’s family.
“Joshua Boadu’s family waited nearly eight years for this day. Today, the Nigeria Police Force and INTERPOL NCB Abuja made it possible,” he said.
IGP Disu: “Nigeria Is Not a Hiding Place”
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu , used the occasion to reaffirm the Force’s commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.
“Nigeria is not a hiding place. It is not a refuge for fugitives. No border, distance or time will stop the Force from working with the global community to deliver justice,” the IGP declared.
Public Reactions
The police clarification has drawn mixed reactions on social media. While many Nigerians commended the Force for its professionalism and commitment to international justice, others questioned why it took nearly eight years to effect the extradition.
Some commenters noted that the attempt to frame the extradition along ethnic lines reflects a broader pattern of injecting tribalism into matters that should be viewed purely through the lens of law and order.
What This Means
The successful extradition of Matthew Adebiyi sends a strong message that Nigeria is committed to honouring its international obligations and will not serve as a sanctuary for criminals fleeing justice abroad.
The police’s swift dismissal of the tribal narrative also underscores the importance of keeping ethnicity out of criminal justice matters—a principle that strengthens public trust in law enforcement institutions.
This is a developing story. Ejes Gist News will provide updates if further details emerge from the Nigeria Police Force or UK authorities.
