The Nigeria Police Force has announced the rescue of 30 nationals of Mali from an alleged human trafficking and exploitation ring operating in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement released on Monday, May 18, police spokesperson Anthony Placid said the victims were discovered in residential buildings located in Mararaba and Karu, while 13 suspects linked to the operation were arrested. The alleged leader of the syndicate was identified as Abdul Ngaki.
Others arrested in connection with the case include 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.
According to the police, investigations commenced following intelligence reports about the disappearance of several foreign nationals in Nigeria under suspicious circumstances. Preliminary findings allegedly revealed that the syndicate targeted vulnerable youths from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, with false promises of jobs in Nigeria and migration opportunities to Europe.
Police said the victims were allegedly made to pay processing and transport fees before being moved to hideouts in Mararaba and Karu, where they were held in exploitative conditions. Authorities further alleged that victims who could not provide additional money were forced into fake kidnapping schemes organised by the syndicate.
Placid stated that the victims were reportedly instructed to contact their relatives and falsely claim they had been kidnapped in order to extort ransom payments from family members abroad.
The statement added that operatives of the Intelligence Response Team carried out coordinated raids on May 7, 2026, at identified locations along Barrister Road in Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State. The operation led to the rescue of all 30 victims and the arrest of the suspects allegedly connected to the criminal network.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to tackling human trafficking, organised transnational crime and all forms of exploitation, assuring the public that everyone linked to the syndicate would be prosecuted.
