Police rescue 30 trafficked Malians in Nasarawa
Nigeria Police Force Dismantles Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues 30 Malians
The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended a suspected human trafficking network operating in the Federal Capital Territory and neighboring states, leading to the rescue of 30 Malian nationals reportedly held under exploitative conditions in Nasarawa State.
The operation carried out by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals believed to be affiliated with the trafficking syndicate. Force Public Relations Officer Anthony Placid announced the findings in a statement released on Tuesday.
The victims were found in residential buildings in the Mararaba and Karu areas of Nasarawa State. Among those arrested is Abdul Ngaki, identified as the alleged leader of the syndicate, alongside other suspects, including Fatimah Kulibali, Ahmad Kasango, Sidibe Musa, and Muhammad Dembele.
Investigations initiated by the police followed intelligence reports concerning the suspicious disappearance of various foreign nationals in Nigeria. Preliminary findings indicate that the syndicate targeted vulnerable young people from Mali and Gabon, offering false promises of employment opportunities in Nigeria and potential migration to Europe.
Victims reportedly paid transportation and processing fees before being relocated to residential hideouts in Mararaba and Karu, where they endured harsh living conditions. Authorities allege that victims unable to provide additional funds were coerced into staging kidnapping schemes designed to extract ransom payments from their families.
According to the police statement, the trafficked individuals were instructed to contact their relatives, falsely claiming they had been abducted, with ransom payments directed to accounts linked to the suspects.
The police conducted coordinated raids on May 7, successfully rescuing all 30 victims from locations along Barrister Road in Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team executed coordinated operations that resulted in the rescue of thirty victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrests of thirteen suspects directly involved in the operation,” the statement noted.
The Nigeria Police Force stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects connected to the trafficking network and reiterated its commitment to addressing human trafficking and transnational organized crime nationwide.
