THE Nigeria Police Force has announced the dismantling of a suspected human trafficking syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding communities, leading to the rescue of 30 Malian nationals allegedly held in exploitative conditions in Nasarawa State.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, police operatives uncovered the activities of the group in residential buildings located in Mararaba and Karu, where the victims were reportedly confined.
During the operation, authorities arrested 13 suspects believed to be connected to the trafficking network.
Those arrested include Abdul Ngaki, identified by police 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.
Police said investigations into the case began after intelligence reports revealed the suspicious disappearance of several foreign nationals within Nigeria.
Preliminary findings indicated that the syndicate allegedly targeted vulnerable young people from countries including Mali and Gabon, luring them with promises of employment opportunities in Nigeria and possible migration pathways to Europe.
According to Placid, the victims were persuaded to pay transportation and processing fees before being moved to residential locations in Mararaba and Karu, Nasarawa State, where they were allegedly kept under restrictive and exploitative conditions.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that victims who could no longer provide money were reportedly forced into staged abduction schemes organised by the suspects.
He explained that the trafficked individuals were instructed to contact their families and falsely claim they had been kidnapped, with ransom payments allegedly directed into bank accounts controlled by members of the syndicate.
Placid stated that operatives of the Intelligence Response Team carried out coordinated raids on May 7, 2026, at hideouts situated along Barrister Road in Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team conducted coordinated operations leading to the rescue of thirty victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of thirteen suspects directly connected to the operation,” he said.
The police added that efforts are still ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the trafficking ring, while reaffirming the Force’s commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
