By Frontline Feporters
Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled a suspected international human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State, rescuing 30 Malian nationals allegedly held captive by the gang.
The operation, led by the IRT Commander, DCP Adamu Muazu, followed a petition submitted by leaders of the Malian Diaspora Community in Nigeria over the alleged trafficking and exploitation of their citizens.
Security sources told Frontline Reporters that the victims had secretly contacted relatives in Mali, claiming they were being held hostage while their captors demanded money in exchange for their freedom.
“A leader of the Malian diaspora group petitioned the IRT, and the commander immediately ordered an investigation. Several victims had called their families, saying they were being held against their will and forced to demand ransom money from home,” a police source disclosed.
According to the source, one victim’s family reportedly paid an initial sum to the traffickers, only for the victim to contact them again weeks later requesting additional money.
Another officer involved in the operation revealed that after 17 days of surveillance and intelligence gathering, operatives traced the syndicate to a residential apartment located along Barrister Road in the Rugan Dakachi area of Karu Local Government Area.
The police team stormed the location and rescued 15 Malian nationals allegedly kept under captivity in the apartment.
“After days of relentless tracking, our operatives successfully rescued the victims who had been lured into Nigeria with false promises before being confined in the building,” the officer said.
During the raid, 12 Malian suspects and one Nigerian accomplice were arrested, while several other members of the syndicate reportedly escaped.
Further investigations later led the operatives to another apartment within the same area, where an additional 15 victims were rescued, bringing the total number of rescued persons to 30.
Police sources confirmed that 13 suspects, mostly Malians, are currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing members of the trafficking network.
Investigators also discovered that the prime suspect allegedly rented the two apartments used for the operation at costs of N1.9 million and N1.7 million respectively.
The rescued victims are expected to be handed over to officials of the Malian Embassy after the conclusion of investigations.
A petition dated April 23, 2026, signed by the President of the Malian Citizens Diaspora Organisation in Nigeria, Dembélé Talibé, accused the syndicate of using a fake employment and investment scheme linked to “Q-NET” to lure unsuspecting victims into Nigeria.
According to the petition, victims were promised lucrative business opportunities but were allegedly exploited and manipulated upon arrival.
One of the rescued victims, identified as Idirisaa Kaulibali, narrated how he was deceived into travelling to Nigeria by his half-sister.
“She invited me to Nigeria and promised I would make money. When I arrived, they said I needed money before I could join the business.
“They claimed they sell wristwatches online, and they forced us to beg our families for money. I was not the only one; many of us were made to do the same thing,” he said.
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