The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 10-man international human trafficking syndicate in Minna, suspected of operating under the guise of travel agents while trafficking unsuspecting victims to foreign countries.
The arrest, made on July 18 at about 12:30 p.m., followed credible intelligence on the group’s illegal activities at 123 Quarters, Minna, according to a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Wednesday.
The suspects include:
Sokou Doumbia
Thiarno Balbe
Hashimu Dauda-Kolo (Nigerian collaborator)
Usman Doumbia
Musa Konate
Lamine Watara
Racine Diouf
Adamu Zarbu
Alhassan Konde
Dango Aminatu
Abiodun disclosed that most of the suspects are foreign nationals from neighbouring West African countries, primarily French-speaking, while Dauda-Kolo, a Nigerian, is believed to have provided them accommodation and operational support in Minna.
“The operation also led to the rescue of 36 youths from countries including Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, all without valid travel documents,” Abiodun said.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly claimed they had entered Nigeria to engage in online business, a claim authorities are investigating further.
All suspects and rescued victims have been transferred to Interpol for comprehensive investigation and appropriate action, the statement concluded.
