The Nigeria Police Force has announced major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on organized crime across the country, including the dismantling of a transnational human trafficking syndicate, the arrest of suspects linked to a family-backed kidnapping operation, and the apprehension of a domestic staff member accused of orchestrating a multi-million naira robbery.
The developments were disclosed during a press briefing held at the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team headquarters in Guzape, Abuja, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
According to the police spokesman, the cases reflect the growing sophistication of criminal networks and the determination of the Nigeria Police Force to confront emerging security threats through intelligence-driven operations.
The first case involved the arrest of 13 suspects linked to a trans-border human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation syndicate allegedly operating within the Federal Capital Territory and parts of Nasarawa State.
Police identified the alleged syndicate leader as Abdul Naki 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.
Investigators said the operation began after the Association of Malian Citizens in Nigeria submitted a petition over the disappearance of several Malian nationals under suspicious circumstances.
Preliminary findings reportedly revealed that many of the victims later resurfaced through distress calls to their relatives, claiming they had been kidnapped and demanding ransom payments for their release.
The police said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team launched a 17-day intelligence-led investigation using both technical and human intelligence, eventually uncovering what authorities described as a sophisticated trafficking network.
According to the police, the syndicate allegedly lured vulnerable youths from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, with false promises of travel opportunities to Europe, especially Spain, or lucrative jobs in Nigeria.
Victims were reportedly made to pay about N120,000 for transportation and processing before being moved to residential apartments in Mararaba and Karu areas of Nasarawa State.
Investigators alleged that after arriving in Nigeria, the victims had their movement restricted and were forced to make additional payments of about N150,000 under the guise of wellness product investments and business schemes.
The police further stated that victims unable to make the additional payments were allegedly coerced into staged kidnapping arrangements, where they contacted their families pretending to have been abducted in order to extort ransom payments.
Acting on intelligence, police operatives raided two residential locations along Barrister Road in Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State, on May 7, 2026, rescuing 30 Malian nationals allegedly held under exploitative conditions.
Thirteen suspects were arrested during the operation while authorities said efforts were ongoing to identify additional collaborators who may have assisted the syndicate.
The police added that they were working with the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Embassy of Mali to facilitate the documentation and safe repatriation of the rescued victims.
In another operation, police arrested two suspects over the alleged abduction of their own father and grandfather in a kidnapping conspiracy authorities described as deeply disturbing.
The suspects, identified as Musa Adamu and Yusuf Rabo, were arrested while another suspect, Ali Haruna, said to be the victim’s grandson, remains at large.