Police Bust Human Trafficking Ring, Arrest Family Kidnap Syndicate in Major Crackdown on Crime

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters

The Nigeria Police Force has announced major breakthroughs in its nationwide crackdown on organised crime, including the dismantling of a transnational human trafficking syndicate, the arrest of a family-linked kidnapping gang, and the apprehension of a domestic worker accused of masterminding a multi-million-naira robbery operation in Abuja.

The development was disclosed during a press briefing by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, at the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) Headquarters in Guzape, Abuja, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

Placid said the operations reflected the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to dismantling criminal networks and strengthening internal security across the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, enforcing the law, and dismantling criminal networks threatening the peace and security of our nation,” he stated.

One of the major cases presented involved the arrest of 13 suspects linked to a transnational human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring communities.

According to the police, investigations began after the Association of Malian Citizens in Nigeria petitioned authorities over the disappearance of several Malian nationals.

Police said the syndicate allegedly lured vulnerable youths from Mali and Gabon to Nigeria with false promises of jobs and travel opportunities to Europe, especially Spain.

Victims were reportedly made to pay about ₦120,000 as transportation and processing fees before being confined in residential apartments in Mararaba and Karu areas of Nasarawa State.

“Victims who could not make additional payments were coerced into participating in staged kidnapping schemes orchestrated by the syndicate,” Placid disclosed.

He explained that the victims were forced to contact relatives abroad while pretending to have been kidnapped, leading their families to send ransom payments into accounts controlled by the syndicate.

Police operatives later raided two locations along Barrister Road in Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State, rescuing 30 Malian nationals and arresting 13 suspects.

“The Nigeria Police Force is currently collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Embassy of Mali to facilitate the proper documentation, protection, and safe repatriation of the rescued victims,” he added.

In another major breakthrough, police arrested two suspects over the alleged kidnapping of their own father and grandfather, identified as Alhaji Rabo Jelani.

The suspects, Yusuf Rabo and Musa Adamu, alongside one Ali Haruna who remains at large, were accused of orchestrating repeated abductions of the elderly man for ransom.

Investigators said the suspects collected ₦2 million during the first kidnapping and ₦4.5 million during a subsequent abduction.

“Investigations revealed that Musa Adamu connived with Yusuf Rabo and Ali Haruna to abduct their own father and grandfather on the belief that he was wealthy and possessed a large herd of livestock,” Placid said.

Police further linked the gang to other violent crimes, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr. Iyke and a highway robbery operation near Government Secondary School, Kagoma.

Meanwhile, the Force also announced the arrest of a 41-year-old chef, John Cosmos Govi, accused of conspiring with accomplices to drug members of his employer’s household before carting away valuables worth about ₦150 million.

The suspect allegedly secured employment in the Abuja residence of an engineer before studying the family’s routines and security structure.

According to police findings, the suspect allegedly laced soup prepared for the family with a sedative substance to incapacitate occupants and security personnel.

“At about 10:00 p.m., after the substance had reportedly taken effect, the suspect facilitated the entry of his accomplices into the residence,” Placid stated.

The gang reportedly stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about ₦150 million, cash, and other valuables after damaging the home’s CCTV monitoring system.

Police said the suspects were intercepted while attempting to flee through Gwagwalada en route to Lagos.

The Force spokesperson disclosed that the suspect confessed to involvement in the crime and is assisting investigators in tracking other gang members and recovering stolen items.

Placid assured Nigerians that investigations into all the cases were ongoing and reiterated the commitment of the police leadership to intelligence-led policing and the prosecution of criminal elements.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to assure members of the public that investigations into these cases are ongoing. Efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects, recover additional exhibits, dismantle connected criminal networks, and ensure diligent prosecution of all persons found culpable,” he said.

He also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, particularly when employing domestic staff, and to report suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.