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NAPTIP arrests eight human trafficking suspects, rescues 29 foreign victims in Abuja

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11 months ago

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The operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have arrested eight persons suspected to be members of the notorious human trafficking syndicate operating between Nigeria and Ghana and rescued 29 suspects, most of whom are foreign nationals of West African countries.

The operation was carried out at a popular apartment located in the hidden part of Gwagwalada, the suburb of Abuja, following an intelligence report by one of the Foreign Embassies in Abuja.

The latest development came barely a few days after the Agency disrupted another trafficking arrangement in Abuja and rescued 25 women en route to Saudi Arabia, for domestic exploitation.

Detailed investigation revealed that the Agency received an official intelligence from the Ghanaian Embassy concerning a suspected case of human trafficking involving a Ghanaian national.

According to the Embassy, the victim was allegedly recruited in Ghana under false pretenses and transported to Nigeria, where he was subjected to exploitation.

The Embassy requested the Agency’s urgent intervention in line with existing bilateral cooperation agreements and anti-trafficking frameworks.

The victim was allegedly defrauded of USD 3,500 by a suspected trafficking syndicate that had promised him legitimate opportunities in Nigeria.

Upon his arrival in Nigeria, the traffickers confiscated his international passport and personal belongings, leaving him vulnerable and at the mercy of the syndicate.

This report triggered immediate operational action in compliance with the Agency’s mandate to prevent, suppress, and prosecute trafficking in persons as provided under national and international legal frameworks.

During the raid, a total of eight suspects were apprehended.

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The suspects are believed to be members of an organised trafficking network operating between Ghana and Nigeria. They are currently in custody, undergoing profiling and interrogation.

Also, 29 victims comprising of 20 females aged between 17–28 and 9 males aged between 18–30, were successfully rescued. They were immediately taken into protective custody.

The international passport and other personal belongings of the primary victim were recovered during the operation. Other materials suspected to be linked to trafficking activities were also seized, including mobile phones, SIM cards, and financial transaction records.

Further investigation revealed that the victims whose temporary permits had since expired were trafficked to Nigeria by the syndicate for alleged sexual exploitation and cybercrime activities.

While the 29 rescued victims have been transferred to a safe shelter where they are receiving immediate assistance, the Agency has commenced discussions with the relevant diplomatic missions for the foreign nationals among the rescued persons.

Speaking on the latest development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, decried the activities of the trans-border human traffickers and the new trends of foreign nationals as victims.

“This case highlights the transnational dimension of human trafficking and the vulnerabilities of individuals seeking better opportunities across borders,” Bello said.

“The swift intervention by the Agency, in collaboration with the Ghanaian Embassy, demonstrates the importance of timely intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement response.

“The suspects in this case will face the full wrath of the law, and just like I warned a few weeks ago, the atmosphere in Nigeria will continue to be tough for them to operate.

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“We shall continue to disrupt their operation, intercept and rescue the victims, and also prosecute them.

“The Agency remains committed to its mandate of ensuring justice for victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and strengthening partnerships at both national and international levels to eradicate human trafficking.”

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Troops arrest soldier declared wanted for supplying military uniforms to terrorists

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military uniforms to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

Security expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this in a statement posted on X.

Makama said that the suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility, NAOTF, Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 pm on July 25, 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted, the soldier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, 2026, where he allegedly went into hiding.

Investigators further established that the soldier was sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.

The security expert further noted that acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 7 Provost Group placed the suspect under 24-hour surveillance before intercepting and arresting him at Jidari Bus Stop while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.

“The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.

“The arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplices,” Makama added.

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PHOTOS: N10 billion Cocaine, Loud, opioids intercepted at Lagos ports as NDLEA arrests kingpins

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.

According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.

NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

Babafemi said in the course of investigation, three cargo agents identified as Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment, were initially arrested, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.

The NDLEA spokesperson said Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.

NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

He mentioned that a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking, was on Tuesday, 21st July, arrested at her Surulere, Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, 20th July.”

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NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

In a related development, NDLEA officials seized a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, 22nd July.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Suspected cable thief nabbed in Bayelsa community

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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A man accused of stealing cables was paraded in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, 26th July, 2026 by a vigilante group at Ompadec, Amarata, while allegedly stealing electrical cables from a home.

​According to residents, cable theft has become a recurring problem in the area, leaving them feeling vulnerable.

They expressed relief following his apprehension.

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