The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismantled a transnational human trafficking syndicate and arrested suspects linked to a family-backed kidnapping plot.

NPF also arrested a domestic worker accused of masterminding a luxury robbery operation in Abuja.

Speaking while parading suspects on Friday at the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) Headquarters in Guzape, Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said the operations reflected the growing sophistication of criminal activities and the determination of the police to confront them through intelligence-led policing.

Placid said the operations were carried out under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, and underscored the Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the country.

According to the police, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team dismantled a trans-border human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation network operating within the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring communities in Nasarawa State.

He said thirteen suspects were arrested during the operation, including the alleged syndicate leader, Abdul Ngaki, while 30 victims, all identified as Malian nationals, were rescued from exploitative conditions.

Police investigations revealed that the syndicate targeted vulnerable youths from West African countries, particularly Mali and Gabon, by luring them with false promises of travel opportunities to Europe or lucrative jobs in Nigeria.

Victims were allegedly made to pay about ₦120,000 as transportation and processing fees before being moved to locations in Mararaba and Karu, Nasarawa State, where they were confined and pressured to pay an additional ₦150,000 under the guise of investment schemes.

He said those unable to make the payments were reportedly forced into staged kidnapping operations, where they contacted relatives abroad pretending to have been abducted in order to extort ransom payments.

The police said the breakthrough followed a petition by the Association of Malian Citizens in Nigeria over the disappearance of several nationals.

Placid said; “After a 17-day intelligence-led operation involving geo-spatial and human intelligence gathering, operatives stormed two residential buildings along Barrister Road in Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State, rescuing the victims and arresting the suspects”.

The Force said It is now collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Malian Embassy to ensure the victims are properly documented and safely repatriated.

Police, Placid said has also uncovered a kidnapping syndicate involving family members who allegedly orchestrated the abduction of their own father and grandfather for financial gain.

Two suspects, Musa Adamu and Yusuf Rabo, were arrested, while another suspect, Ali Haruna, remains at large.

Investigators said Yusuf Rabo, identified as the biological son of the victim, Alhaji Rabo Jelani, conspired with Musa Adamu and the victim’s grandson, Ali Haruna, to abduct the elderly man because of his wealth and livestock holdings.

The suspects, Placid said, allegedly procured AK-47 rifles for the operation and established a revenue-sharing arrangement for proceeds from kidnappings and robberies.

Police disclosed that the victim was kidnapped twice, with ransom payments of ₦2 million and ₦4.5 million collected on separate occasions.

Investigations further linked the gang to the kidnapping of an Igbo trader identified as Mr. Iyke, from whom ₦2 million ransom was collected, as well as a highway robbery attack near Government Secondary School, Kagoma, where commuters were dispossessed of ₦1 million.

One AK-47 rifle was recovered during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover more weapons.

The Force Police Public Relations Officer said; “The police also announced the arrest of a 41-year-old chef, John Cosmos Govi, accused of conspiring with accomplices to drug his employer’s family and steal valuables worth millions of naira.

“According to investigators, Govi secured employment as a chef in the residence of an Abuja-based engineer, Kassim Abu Amjad, after allegedly linking up with two accomplices from the Benin Republic identified simply as Peter and Moses.

“Police said the suspect carefully studied the household’s routines and security arrangements before allegedly executing the operation on April 23, 2026.

“Investigators alleged that the chef prepared soup laced with a suspected sedative substance intended to render members of the household and security personnel unconscious before allowing his accomplices into the residence. The suspects reportedly vandalized the home’s CCTV system and escaped with ₦12,000 cash and 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about ₦150 million.

“However, operatives intercepted the suspects while they were attempting to flee through Gwagwalada en route to Lagos. Police recovered an iPhone 17 Pro Max and other exhibits from the suspect, while a chemical substance retrieved from the residence has been sent for forensic analysis.

“The Force added that Govi confessed to involvement in the crime and is assisting investigators in tracking down his accomplices and recovering the stolen items. Meanwhile, the victim and three members of his family are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, following the incident”.

He assured Nigerians that investigations into all the cases are ongoing, with efforts intensified to arrest fleeing suspects, dismantle associated criminal networks, and ensure diligent prosecution.

The Force also urged citizens to remain vigilant, especially when employing domestic staff or dealing with unfamiliar agents, stressing that public cooperation remains critical in combating crime nationwide. (The Nation)

Update news