The former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, is being sought by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), which has issued a watch list for his arrest.
NIS has requested that all security agencies, including the State Security Service(SSS), arrest Bello on sight.
Bello is accused of stealing N80 billion from Kogi coffers during his eight-year tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
On Wednesday, officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to arrest him at his Abuja residence, but he refused to surrender.
A memo from Assistant Comptroller General DS Umar was sent to the police inspector-general, urging all security operatives to arrest the former governor.
The memo stated that Bello is being prosecuted in the Federal High Court Abuja for conspiracy, breach of trust, and money laundering.
It further directed that if Bello is seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action. It was also sent to the director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Bello was expected to appear before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday to defend charges brought against him by the EFCC.
However, he failed to appear, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. As a result, the EFCC has declared him wanted.
According to reports, despite owing workers several months of unpaid salaries, Bello was able to find N100 million to buy the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential form, even though he knew he had no chance of winning.
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