Police Bust Human Trafficking Ring, Rescue 30 Foreign Victims in Major Crackdown
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a transnational human trafficking and fraud syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring communities, rescuing 30 foreign nationals and arresting 13 suspects linked to the criminal network.
The operation, described as a major breakthrough against organised transnational crime, followed coordinated intelligence-led raids by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on identified hideouts in Nasarawa State.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Nigeria Police Force and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid.
According to the statement, the suspects arrested include Abdul Ngaki, identified as the syndicate leader, alongside 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.
The police said investigations began after intelligence reports concerning the disappearance of several foreign nationals in Nigeria under suspicious circumstances.
Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate targeted vulnerable young persons from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, with false promises of migration opportunities to Europe and lucrative jobs in Nigeria.
Victims were allegedly made to pay transportation and processing fees before being moved to residential hideouts in Mararaba and Karu areas of Nasarawa State, where they were held under “exploitative and restrictive conditions.”
Investigators further discovered that victims who failed to meet additional financial demands were forced into staged kidnapping schemes coordinated by the syndicate.
“Victims were forced to contact relatives in their home countries while pretending to have been kidnapped, thereby compelling family members to remit ransom payments into accounts controlled by the syndicate,” the statement said.
Acting on credible intelligence, IRT operatives carried out coordinated operations on May 7, 2026, at identified hideouts along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State, leading to the rescue of the 30 victims, all identified as Malian nationals.
The police confirmed that all 13 suspects were arrested during the operation and are currently assisting investigators.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and all forms of exploitation across the country.
The Force also assured the public that all individuals connected to the criminal network would be identified and brought to justice.
