The Nigeria Police Force says it has rescued 30 Malian nationals from a suspected human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation network operating in Nasarawa State.
Anthony Placid, the force public relations officer, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, noting that the syndicate was active in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and surrounding communities.
According to the police, the victims were kept in residential buildings located in Mararaba and Karu areas of Nasarawa State, while 13 suspects linked to the operation were arrested.
“The suspects arrested include Abdul Ngaki, identified as the principal suspect and syndicate leader, 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.
He explained that investigations began after intelligence reports revealed the disappearance of several foreign nationals in Nigeria under suspicious circumstances.
“Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate targeted vulnerable young persons from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, with false promises of migration opportunities to Europe and lucrative employment in Nigeria,” he added.
The police said victims were allegedly persuaded to pay transportation and processing fees before being moved to locations in Mararaba and Karu, where they were held under restrictive and exploitative conditions.
Placid further stated that victims who could not provide additional money were reportedly forced to participate in fake kidnap schemes organised by the syndicate.
According to him, the victims were instructed to contact relatives in their home countries and falsely claim they had been kidnapped so that ransom payments could be sent to accounts controlled by the suspects.
“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, leading to the rescue of thirty (30) victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of thirteen suspects directly connected to the operation,” Placid said.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to tackling human trafficking, organised transnational crime, and all forms of exploitation, while assuring that everyone connected to the syndicate would face justice.