Nigeria Police dismantle transnational human trafficking, rescue 30 foreign nationals

The Nigeria Police Force announced a significant advance in its campaign against transnational organised crime after it dismantled a human‑trafficking and fraud syndicate operating in the Federal Capital Territory and nearby communities.

A statement signed by DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Force’s Public Relations Officer, said the operation rescued 30 foreign nationals and arrested 13 suspects linked to the criminal network.

The arrested suspects include Abdul Ngaki, identified as the principal suspect and syndicate leader, together with 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.

Placid said investigations began after intelligence about the disappearance of several foreign nationals in Nigeria under suspicious circumstances.

Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate targeted vulnerable young people from West African countries, especially Mali and Gabon, with false promises of migration opportunities to Europe and lucrative employment in Nigeria.

The statement added: “Victims were induced to pay processing and transportation fees before being conveyed to residential locations in Mararaba and Karu, Nasarawa State, where they were held under exploitative and restrictive conditions.”

Further investigations established that victims who could not meet additional financial demands were coerced into participating in staged kidnapping schemes orchestrated by the syndicate.

“Under the arrangement, 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 added.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) conducted coordinated operations on May 7, 2026, at identified hideouts along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State, leading to the rescue of 30 victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of 13 suspects directly connected to the operation,” it stated.

The Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to combating human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and all forms of exploitation, and assured the public that all persons connected to the criminal network will be brought to justice.