The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a major transnational human trafficking and fraud syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring communities, rescuing 30 foreign nationals and arresting 13 suspects linked to the criminal network.
The breakthrough operation was carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on May 7, 2026, following a meticulous investigation into the mysterious disappearance of several foreign nationals within Nigeria.
According to Police Force Headquarters, the syndicate targeted vulnerable young persons from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, using false promises of lucrative employment in Nigeria and migration opportunities to Europe.
“The victims were induced to pay processing and transportation fees before being conveyed to residential locations in Mararaba and Karu, Nasarawa State,” said DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Force Public Relations Officer, in an official statement. “Once there, they were held under highly exploitative and restrictive conditions.”
Investigators revealed a sinister twist to the syndicate’s operations: when victims could not meet additional financial demands, they were coerced into participating in staged kidnapping schemes orchestrated by their captors.
“Under this arrangement, victims were forced to contact relatives in their home countries while pretending to have been kidnapped,” DCP Placid explained. “This compelled traumatised family members to remit ransom payments directly into accounts controlled by the syndicate.”
Acting on credible intelligence, IRT operatives launched coordinated raids at identified hideouts along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, in Nasarawa State. The operation successfully secured the release of all 30 victims, who have since been identified as Malian nationals.
Police identified Abdul Ngaki as the principal suspect and leader of the syndicate. The 12 other arrested 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.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and all forms of exploitation.
“We want to assure members of the public, both locally and internationally, that all persons connected to this criminal network will be aggressively prosecuted and brought to justice,” DCP Placid stated.
An investigation into the wider network of the syndicate remains ongoing.
