The Nigeria Police Force has announced a major breakthrough in its fight against transnational organised crime after dismantling a human trafficking and exploitation syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory and nearby communities.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the operation led to the rescue of 30 foreign nationals and the arrest of 13 suspects linked to the criminal network.
The police identified the arrested suspects as Abdul Ngaki, believed to be the leader of the syndicate, 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 statement explained that investigations began after intelligence reports revealed the suspicious disappearance of several foreign nationals within Nigeria.
Preliminary findings showed that the syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable young people from West African countries, especially Mali and Gabon, by promising them migration opportunities to Europe and well-paying jobs in Nigeria.
Victims were reportedly made to pay transportation and processing fees before being moved to residential locations in Mararaba and Karu, Nasarawa State, where they were allegedly kept under exploitative and restrictive conditions.
Police further disclosed that victims who failed to meet additional financial demands were forced into staged kidnapping schemes organised 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 said.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team carried out coordinated raids on May 7, 2026, at hideouts located along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State.
The operation led to the rescue of 30 victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of 13 suspects connected to the trafficking operation.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, organised crime, and all forms of exploitation, assuring the public that everyone linked to the criminal network would be brought to justice.
