Police Bust Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescue 30 Foreign Victims in Abuja, Nasarawa Raid

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a transnational human trafficking and fraud syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring Nasarawa communities, rescuing 30 foreign nationals and arresting 13 suspected members of the criminal network.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, followed intelligence reports concerning the disappearance of several foreign nationals within Nigeria under suspicious circumstances.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, investigations revealed that the syndicate targeted vulnerable youths from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, with false promises ofjobs in Nigeria and migration opportunities to Europe.

Police identified the alleged syndicate leader as Abdul Ngaki, alongside 12 other suspects arrested during coordinated raids conducted on May 7 along Barrister Road and Rugan Dakachi in Nasarawa State.

The other suspects include 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.

Preliminary investigations showed that victims were persuaded to pay transportation and processing fees before being moved to locations in Mararaba and Karu, where they were allegedly held under exploitative and restrictive conditions.

Police further disclosed that victims who failed to meet additional financial demands were forcedinto staged kidnapping schemes organised by the syndicate.

Under the arrangement, victims reportedly contacted relatives in their home countries pretending to have been abducted, while family members were pressured into paying ransom money into accounts controlled by the traffickers.

During the operation, police rescued all 30 victims, identified as Malian nationals, and took the suspects into custody for further investigation and prosecution.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and all forms of exploitation, assuring that all individuals linked to the syndicate would be brought to justice.