Police rescue 30 Malians from human trafficking syndicate in Nasarawa
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has rescued 30 Malian nationals from a suspected human trafficking and exploitation syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
In a statement issued on Monday, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Placid, said the criminal network was active within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and surrounding communities, with victims reportedly held in residential buildings located in Mararaba and Karu.
According to the police, 13 suspects linked to the syndicate were arrested during coordinated operations carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Those arrested include Abdul Ngaki, identified as the alleged 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.
Placid said investigations began after security agencies received intelligence reports concerning the disappearance of several foreign nationals under suspicious circumstances.
Preliminary findings showed that the syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable youths from West African countries, especially Mali and Gabon, by promising them migration opportunities to Europe as well as lucrative jobs in Nigeria.
The victims were reportedly persuaded to pay transportation and processing fees before being moved to locations in Mararaba and Karu, where they were held in restrictive and exploitative conditions.
The police spokesperson added that victims who could not provide additional payments were allegedly forced to participate in staged kidnapping schemes orchestrated by the syndicate.
According to Placid, the victims were instructed to contact their families and falsely claim they had been kidnapped, prompting relatives to send ransom payments into bank accounts controlled by members of the network.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team conducted coordinated operations on May 7, 2026, at identified hideouts along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State,” the statement read.
“The operations led to the rescue of 30 victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of 13 suspects directly connected to the criminal enterprise.”
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to tackling human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and other forms of exploitation, assuring the public that all individuals linked to the syndicate would be prosecuted.
