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.
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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