The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 10-member international human trafficking syndicate operating in Minna, under the pretense of being travel agents. The group is suspected of trafficking individuals to various foreign countries.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, revealed that the arrests were made on July 18 at about 12:30 p.m., following credible intelligence on the group’s activities around 123 Quarters, Minna.
The suspects were identified as:
Sokou Doumbia
Thiarno Balbe
Hashimu Dauda-Kolo (a Nigerian national)
Usman Doumbia
Musa Konate
Lamine Watara
Racine Diouf
Adamu Zarbu
Alhassan Konde
Dango Aminatu
According to SP Abiodun, most of the suspects are French-speaking nationals from neighbouring West African countries, while Dauda-Kolo allegedly acted as the group’s local facilitator, providing accommodation and logistical support in Nigeria.
“The operation led to the rescue of 36 victims, mostly youths, from countries including Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, all of whom lacked valid travel documents,” Abiodun said.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects claimed they were in Nigeria for online business, a claim authorities are now investigating.
SP Abiodun confirmed that both the suspects and the rescued victims have been handed over to Interpol for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
