Nigerian police dismantle human trafficking network and free 30 people in Nasarawa State

Written by: Mohammed Omran 

The Nigerian Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team dismantled a foreign human trafficking network operating in Nasarawa State.

Nigerian police dismantle human trafficking network and free 30 Malians in Nasarawa State

Police successfully rescued 30 Malian citizens allegedly held by the gang in an operation led by Rapid Response Team Commander, Adamu Maazou.

A police source familiar with the operation said the rescue came after a petition was submitted by leaders of the Malian community in Nigeria regarding allegations of trafficking and exploitation of their citizens.

13 suspects arrested in a kidnapping and extortion case

According to the source, the victims contacted their relatives in Mali, claiming that they were being held hostage and that their kidnappers were demanding money for their release.

The source explained: “One of the leaders of the Malian community abroad wrote a petition to the emergency response team, and our leader acted immediately. We received numerous complaints from their relatives asking them to send money, claiming that they were being held hostage with their hands tied, and that a ransom was being demanded for their release.”.

He added that one of the victims' parents initially paid money to the human traffickers, but the victim contacted them again two weeks later asking for more help.

Another police officer involved in the operation said that continuous surveillance led police to a residential apartment in Barister Street, Rogan Dakashi area of Karo Local Government, where about 15 victims were rescued for the first time after 17 days of the operation.

The source added: “After 17 days of diligent follow-up, our men finally succeeded in rescuing about 15 Malian citizens who had been lured, kidnapped, and held captive in a residential apartment.”.

He noted that during the operation, 12 Malians and one Nigerian suspect were arrested, while others reportedly escaped.

Police launched a large-scale search operation after a couple were killed by gunmen in Kebbi state.

The police officer noted that the investigations later led police to another apartment in the same area, where 15 additional victims were rescued, bringing the total number of people rescued to 30.

The source said: “In total, our forces arrested 13 suspects, most of them Malians, while others escaped. Efforts are continuing to apprehend the fugitive suspects.”.

Police also revealed that the main suspect rented the two apartments used in the operation for 1.9 million naira and 1.7 million naira respectively. The victims are expected to be handed over to Malian embassy officials.