The Nigeria Police Force has achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against transnational organized crime by dismantling a human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory and nearby communities. The operation led to the rescue of 30 foreign nationals and the arrest of 13 suspects linked to the criminal network.
Arrests and Rescue Operation
Police Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, announced that the suspects arrested include Abdul Ngaki, identified as the principal suspect and syndicate leader, along 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. Investigations began following intelligence reports concerning the disappearance of several foreign nationals within Nigeria under suspicious circumstances.
Modus Operandi
Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate targeted vulnerable young individuals from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, with false promises of migration opportunities to Europe and lucrative employment in Nigeria. Victims were induced to pay processing and transportation fees before being transported 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 this arrangement, victims were forced to contact relatives in their home countries while pretending to have been kidnapped, compelling family members to remit ransom payments into accounts controlled by the syndicate.
Coordinated Police Action
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) conducted coordinated operations on 7th May 2026 at identified hideouts along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State. This led to the rescue of thirty victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of thirteen suspects directly connected to the operation.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, transnational organized crime, and all forms of exploitation, assuring the public that all persons connected to the criminal network will be brought to justice.
