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Akwa Ibom Police Smash Human Trafficking Ring, Rescue Seven Victims from Three Countries

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a cross-border human trafficking syndicate, rescuing seven victims of different nationalities and taking four suspects into custody following a coordinated operation carried out on March 13, 2026.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, announced the development in a statement on March 14, 2026, revealing that the operation was triggered by credible intelligence about a vehicle ferrying suspected trafficking victims along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road.

Acting swiftly on the tip-off at around 8:00 a.m., police operatives deployed a patrol team to conduct a stop-and-search exercise along the route. The targeted vehicle was intercepted, leading to the immediate rescue of four victims and the arrest of the suspect transporting them.

Interrogation of the arrested suspect opened a wider trail, prompting officers to extend the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area. Three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects apprehended at those locations, bringing the total number of rescued victims to seven and arrested suspects to four.

Among those rescued are nationals from Benin Republic, Togo, and Nigeria. They have been identified as Asana Wohabu (18, Cotonou), Fusina Seru (20, Cotonou), Latif Ali (19, Cotonou), Malike Michel (Lomé, Togo), and Nigerians Mulica Ismail, Saidat Ismail, and Safura Ismail, all from Oyo State.

The four suspects in custody are Udeme Jacob of Mbo LGA, Effiong Ekop of Ibiono Ibom LGA, John Okon of Mbo LGA, and Ndukwe Ogbonnaya of Bende LGA, Abia State.

Investigators revealed that the syndicate specialised in recruiting and transporting young persons across international borders for exploitation. Authorities further disclosed that a key ring leader evaded arrest by fleeing through waterways from Ibaka in Mbo to Cameroon and Gabon, allegedly taking some victims along.

See also  Benin Jails Ex-defence Minister Over Failed Coup Plot

The command confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion. It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to aid in the protection of vulnerable persons and the dismantling of other criminal networks operating in the region.

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Crime

Troops arrest soldier declared wanted for supplying military uniforms to terrorists

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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.

See also  Benin Jails Ex-defence Minister Over Failed Coup Plot

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

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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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PHOTOS: Suspected cable thief nabbed in Bayelsa community

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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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See also  PHOTOS: Four Women Arrested, Newborn Rescued As Security Operatives Dismantle Child Trafficking Syndicate Running Fake Pregnancy And Baby Sale Scheme In Cross River.
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