Police rescue 30 Malians from trafficking syndicate, arrest 13 suspects in Nasarawa

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 30 Malian nationals from a suspected human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation network operating across parts of Nasarawa State and neighbouring communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The victims were discovered in residential buildings in Mararaba and Karu, where they were allegedly being held under restrictive and exploitative conditions by members of the syndicate.

Thirteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the operation.

In a statement issued on Monday, Anthony Placid, Force Public Relations Officer, said the network operated across the FCT axis and adjoining communities in Nasarawa State, targeting vulnerable foreign nationals with deceptive migration and job offers.

According to the police, the syndicate lured young people from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, by promising migration opportunities to Europe and lucrative employment within Nigeria.

Victims were reportedly required to pay processing and transportation fees before being moved to safe houses in Mararaba and Karu.

The Police said preliminary investigations revealed that victims who were unable to meet additional financial demands were allegedly coerced into participating in staged kidnapping schemes.

“In these schemes, victims were forced to contact their families, pretend they had been abducted, and request ransom payments directed into accounts controlled by the criminal network.

“Acting on intelligence reports, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) carried out coordinated raids on 7 May 2026 at identified hideouts along Barrister Road and Rugan Dakachi in Nasarawa State.

“The operation led to the rescue of all 30 victims, confirmed to be Malian nationals, and the arrest of 13 suspects”, the statement read.

Those arrested include Abdul Ngaki, identified by investigators as the alleged principal suspect and leader of the syndicate, 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

The police said investigations were launched after intelligence indicated the disappearance of several foreign nationals under suspicious circumstances within Nigeria.

It added that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to dismantling human trafficking networks and other transnational organised crime groups operating in the country.

He assured that all individuals linked to the syndicate would be prosecuted.

“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to combating human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and all forms of exploitation, while ensuring all perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement noted.