Police Rescue 30 Malians From Trafficking Syndicate In Nasarawa

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the rescue of 30 citizens of Mali from a suspected human trafficking ring operating in Nasarawa State.

In a statement on Monday, police spokesperson Anthony Placid said the group was part of a criminal network active in the Federal Capital Territory and nearby areas.

The victims were reportedly kept in houses located in Mararaba and Karu.

Police confirmed the arrest of 13 people believed to be involved in the operation.

Among those named were Abdul Ngaki, identified as the leader, along with several others linked to the network.

“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.

“Investigations commenced following intelligence concerning the disappearance of several foreign nationals within 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.

“Victims were induced to pay processing and transportation fees before being conveyed to residential locations in Mararaba and Karu, Nasarawa State, where they were held under exploitative and restrictive conditions.”

Placid also revealed that victims who could not provide more money were forced into fake kidnapping schemes.

According to him, they were made to contact their families and falsely claim they had been abducted, in order to pressure relatives into sending ransom payments to accounts controlled by the syndicate.

“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 Nigeria Police Force states its commitment to combating human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and all forms of exploitation, while assuring members of the public that all persons connected to the criminal network will be brought to justice.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Akwa Ibom Government recently handed 44 Ghanaian nationals who were rescued from human trafficking camps to officials from Ghana.