Police rescued 40 Malian and Ivorian trafficking victims from a Mararaba bungalow after acting on credible intelligence

The operatives of the Nigerian Police Force Nasarawa State Command said it has rescued no fewer than 40 victims of human trafficking, including 33 males and 7 females, from a bungalow in Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Mohammed Shetima-Jauro, the state commissioner of police disclosed this while officially handing over those victims rescued by his personnel to the Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),, Nasarawa State Command, Sekure Ubale in Lafia, the state capital on Monday.

The police boss, who stated that the victims mostly are Malian Nationals, were lured to Nigeria with promises of job opportunities in France.

Shetima-Jauro, however, maintained that the victims were allegedly held captive and compelled to contact other potential victims to join them in Nigeria.

According to him, the personnel of the command acted on credible intelligence and swiftly mobilized a team to the scene and rescued the victims.

His words, “Upon receipt of this information a team of police detectives was immediately mobilized to the location, where thirty-two (33) males and seven (7) females, all Malian nationals with the exception of one person from Ivory Coast, were rescued from a bungalow at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu LGA.”

He, however, hinted that the prime suspect, Abdullahi Berter, a Malian National who was at large had just been been apprehended after a manhunt launched to arrest him and other members of the trafficking syndicate.

He, therefore, told journalists that the rescued victims will be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for thorough investigation and necessary action. He added that the police are working to unravel the full extent of the trafficking operation and bring those responsible to justice to serve as a deterrent to others in the state.

While confirming the receipt of all the victims, State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Sekure Ubale explained that his command has also apprehended additional 20 Malians which will be profiled for repatriation to their various countries.

In the same vein, the command said itvhas arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abubakar Adamu, and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from him, noting that the suspect, a resident of Adudu District, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, was arrested on November 24, 2025, at Kertyo Village, Obi LGA.

He affirmed that credible intelligence led to the arrest, and during interrogation, the suspect led detectives to his hideout, where one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 11 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

“During interrogation, the suspect led detectives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to his Ruga in Adudu, where a search was conducted and items recovered from him including One (1) AK-47 rifle, Two (2) magazines, Eleven (11) rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition,” he added.

According to him, the suspect is currently undergoing investigation and will face prosecution upon completion of the investigation.

While assuring members of the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to safe guard the lives and properties of the citizens across the 13 local government areas of the state he vowed to pursue traffickers and criminals relentlessly and dismantle their networks.

He then causioned that Nasarawa State is not a safe haven for human trafficking and other crimes, stating that justice will be served. (ARISE NEWS)

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