Monday, March, 16 2026 - The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a human trafficking syndicate, rescuing seven victims and arresting four suspects.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Timfon John, disclosed
this in a statement on March 14, 2026.
According to the PPRO, the operation was carried out on
March 13, 2026, following intelligence reports that a vehicle transporting
young persons suspected to be victims of trafficking was moving along the Ikot
Ekpene–Aba Road.
Police operatives mounted a stop-and-search operation along
the route and intercepted the vehicle, rescued four victims and arresting the
suspect who was conveying them.
Further investigation led officers to locations in Itam and
Ibaka in Mbaba Local Government Area, where three additional victims were
rescued and three more suspects arrested.
Preliminary findings by the police indicate that the
syndicate allegedly specialised in recruiting and transporting young persons
across borders for exploitation.
“Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command have
successfully dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the
state, leading to the rescue of seven victims and the arrest of four suspects
involved in the criminal network,” the statement read.
"Acting on credible intelligence on 13th March, 2026 at
about 0800 hours, police operatives swiftly mobilized a patrol team to conduct
a coordinated stop-and-search operation along Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road following
reports that a vehicle conveying young persons suspected to be victims of human
trafficking.
"During the operation, the suspected vehicle was
intercepted and four victims were immediately rescued, while the suspect
conveying them was arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.
"Further investigation and interrogation of the suspect
led to the expansion of the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government
Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects
apprehended, bringing the total number of rescued victims to seven and suspects
arrested to four.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that the
trafficking syndicate specializes in recruiting and transporting young persons
across borders for exploitation.
"Intelligence gathered further disclosed that one of
the ring leaders had earlier escaped through the waterways from Ibaka in Mbo to
Cameroon and Gabon with some victims.
"The victims rescued include: Asana Wohabu (F), 18
years Cotonou, Benin Republic, Fusina Seru (F), 20 years Cotonou, Benin
Republic, Mulica Ismali (F), 20 years Oyo State, Nigeria, Saidat Ismali (F), 19
years Oyo State, Nigeria, Safura Ismali (F), 20 years Oyo State, Nigeria, Latif
Ali (M), 19 years Cotonou, Benin Republic, Malike Michel (M) Lome, Togo.
"The suspects currently in police custody are: Udeme
Jacob (F), 20 years Mbo LGA, Effiong Ekop (M) Ibiono Ibom
LGA, John Okon (M) Mbo LGA and Ndukwe Ogbonnaya (F) Bende LGA, Abia State.
"Investigation still ongoing. The suspects will be
charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.
"The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reiterates its
commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of organized crime,
and assures members of the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other
fleeing members of the syndicate.
"Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and
provide timely information to the Police to aid in protecting vulnerable
persons and strengthening community safety.
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