Police Nab 13 Over Human Trafficking, Rescue 30 Malians

The police headquarters has announced the rescue of 13 suspects allegedly involved in a transnational human trafficking ring who are believed to be responsible for trafficking 30 people from Mali to Nigeria.

The suspects include Abdul Ngaki, Fatimah Kulibali, Ahmad Kasango, Sidibe Musa, Muhammad Dembele, Saidu Traore, Ali Koulibaly, Abdul Ngeki, ​Ahmed Sirma, Laya Bando, Isha Dembele, Abi Togo and Awa Tesure.

They were arrested by operatives of the inspector-general of police’s  Intelligence Response Team led by DCP Adamu Muazu.

Parading them in Abuja yesterday, force spokesman DCP Anthony Okon Placid said.

“The investigation into the case commenced following a formal petition submitted to the Nigeria Police Force by the association of Malian citizens in Nigeria regarding the disappearance of several Malian nationals within Nigeria under suspicious circumstances.

“Preliminary findings revealed a disturbing trend in which victims, after being declared missing, resurfaced through distress calls to relatives and associates, claiming to have been kidnapped and demanding ransom payments for their release.

“In response, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) initiated a diligent investigation involving both geo-spatial technical intelligence and human intelligence operations.

The operation, which lasted 17 days, uncovered a sophisticated transnational trafficking and fraudulent exploitation network operating within the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring communities.”

According to the police, investigations revealed that the syndicate led by Abdul Ngaki targeted vulnerable young persons from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, by falsely promising them opportunities to travel to Europe, especially Spain, or opting to secure high-paying employments within Nigeria. Victims were instructed to pay approximately ₦120,000 as transportation and processing fees.

Police said, “Further findings established that upon arrival in Nigeria, the victims were conveyed to locations situated within residential apartments in Mararaba and Karu in nearby Nasarawa State. At these locations, they had their movements restricted and were compelled to make additional payments amounting to ₦150,000 under the guise of investment fees for wellness products and business schemes.

“The victims, unable to make additional payments, were subsequently coerced into participating in staged kidnapping schemes orchestrated by the syndicate. Under this arrangement, the victims were forced to contact their families in their home countries while pretending to be kidnap victims, thereby inducing relatives to remit ransom payments into accounts controlled by members of the syndicate.

“Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, operatives of the IRT on 7th May 2026, conducted a well-coordinated operation to search two of these residential locations along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State. The operation yielded positive results leading to the rescue of 30 victims, all identified to be Malian nationals held under exploitative and restrictive conditions. 13 suspects directly linked to the operation of the syndicate were also arrested during the operation.”