The Nigeria Police Force says it has dismantled a transnational human trafficking syndicate, and arrested 13 suspects.

The police also said that 30 victims being exploited through organised trafficking operations were rescued.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said this during a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Placid stated that following the receipt of credible and actionable intelligence, operatives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) apprehended the suspects on May 7.

The arrests are in connection with multiple offenses, including transnational human trafficking, criminal conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses, unlawful detention, and a staged kidnapping for ransom.

According to him, operatives of the IRT conducted a well-coordinated operation to search two residential locations, along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State.

“The operation yielded positive result leading to the rescue of the 30 victims, all identified to be Malian nationals, held under exploitative and restrictive conditions.”

Force PRO added that investigation into the case had commenced following a formal petition submitted to the Nigeria Police Force by the Association of Malian citizens in Nigeria.

He noted that the investigation began with a petition regarding the suspicious disappearance of several Malian nationals within Nigeria.

According to Placid, preliminary findings uncovered a disturbing pattern: after going missing, the victims would resurface by making distress calls to their relatives and associates, claiming they had been kidnapped and demanding ransom for their release.

He noted that, 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.

“Investigations revealed that the syndicate leader, specifically targets vulnerable young persons from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, falsely promising them opportunities to travel to Europe.

“The syndicate also gives the victims an option of securing high-paying employment within Nigeria.

“The victims at this point are instructed to pay approximately N120,000 as transportation and processing fees.

The force image maker further said that findings established that upon arrival in Nigeria, the victims would be taking to locations situated within residential apartments in Mararaba and Karu in Nasarawa state.

“The movement of the victims are usually restricted at these locations, and they are compelled to make additional payments amounting to N150,000 under the guise of investment fees for wellness products and business schemes,” he said.

He added that victims who were unable to make additional payments were subsequently coerced into participating in staged kidnapping orchestrated by the syndicate.

“Under this arrangement victims are 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 the syndicate members,” he said.

Placid said the Nigeria Police Force was currently collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Embassy of Mali to facilitate the proper documentation, protection, and safe repatriation of the rescued victims.

He said investigations were ongoing to identify additional collaborators, including persons who may have assisted the syndicate in securing accommodation, facilitating logistics, and concealing the illegal activities under the guise of legitimate business operations. (NAN)