The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a human trafficking syndicate, rescuing seven victims and arresting four suspects.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on March 14, 2026.
She said the operation was carried out on March 13, 2026, following intelligence that a vehicle transporting young persons suspected to be victims of trafficking was travelling along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road.
According to her, police operatives immediately mounted a stop-and-search operation along the route and intercepted the vehicle. Four victims were rescued during the operation, while the suspect conveying them was arrested.
Further investigation led officers to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, where three more victims were rescued and three additional suspects apprehended.
“Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command have successfully dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, leading to the rescue of seven victims and the arrest of four suspects involved in the criminal network,” the statement read.
“Acting on credible intelligence on March 13, 2026, at about 0800 hours, police operatives swiftly mobilised a patrol team to conduct a coordinated stop-and-search operation along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road following reports of a vehicle conveying young persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
“During the operation, the suspected vehicle was intercepted and four victims were rescued, while the suspect conveying them was arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.”
John said interrogation of the suspect led to an expanded operation in Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects arrested, bringing the total number of rescued victims to seven and suspects to four.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate allegedly specialised in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation.
The police also disclosed that intelligence gathered during the investigation revealed that one of the ring leaders had earlier fled through the waterways from Ibaka in Mbo to Cameroon and Gabon with some victims.
The rescued victims were identified as Asana Wohabu, 18, from Cotonou in Benin Republic; Fusina Seru, 20, also from Cotonou; Mulica Ismali, 20, from Oyo State; Saidat Ismali, 19, from Oyo State; Safura Ismali, 20, from Oyo State; Latif Ali, 19, from Cotonou, Benin Republic; and Malike Michel from Lome, Togo.
The suspects in custody were identified as Udeme Jacob, 20, from Mbo Local Government Area; Effiong Ekop from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area; John Okon from Mbo Local Government Area; and Ndukwe Ogbonnaya from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The police said investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the process.
The command reiterated its commitment to tackling human trafficking and other organised crimes, assuring the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to the police to help protect vulnerable persons and enhance community safety.
