Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - The
Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a suspected human trafficking syndicate
operating within the Federal Capital Territory and neighboring states, rescuing
30 Malian nationals allegedly held under exploitative conditions in Nasarawa
State.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Intelligence
Response Team, IRT, also led to the arrest of 13 suspects believed to be
connected to the trafficking network.
Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, disclosed
this in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that the victims were discovered
in residential buildings located in Mararaba and Karu areas of Nasarawa State.
According to the police, those arrested include Abdul Ngaki,
identified as the alleged leader of the syndicate, as well as Fatimah Kulibali,
Ahmad Kasango, Sidibe Musa, Muhammad Dembele, Saidu Traore, Ali Koulibaly,
Abdul Ngeki, Ahmed Sirma, Laya Bando, Aisha Dembele, Abi Togo, and Awa Tesure.
Police investigations reportedly began after intelligence
reports indicated the suspicious disappearance of several foreign nationals
within Nigeria.
Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate allegedly
targeted vulnerable youths from countries including Mali and Gabon with
promises of employment opportunities in Nigeria and possible migration to
Europe.
Victims were said to have paid transportation and processing
fees before being moved into residential hideouts in Mararaba and Karu, where
they were allegedly subjected to harsh and restrictive conditions.
The police further alleged that victims who could no longer
provide money were forced into staged kidnapping schemes coordinated by the
suspects.
According to the statement, the trafficked victims were
allegedly instructed to contact their relatives and falsely claim they had been
abducted, with ransom payments subsequently directed into accounts linked to
members of the syndicate.
The Nigeria Police Force spokesman disclosed that the
coordinated raids were conducted on May 7, 2026, at locations along Barrister
Road in Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State, leading to the successful rescue of all
30 victims.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the
Intelligence Response Team carried out coordinated operations which led to the
rescue of thirty victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of
thirteen suspects directly linked to the operation,” the statement read.
The police added that efforts are ongoing to track down other suspects connected to the trafficking network, while reaffirming the Force’s commitment to combating human trafficking and transnational organized crime across the country.
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