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

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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.

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.

“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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Crime

PHOTOS: 14 children ‘trafficked from Adamawa and sold for N800,000 each in Anambra’ are rescued

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2 hours ago

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August 21, 2025

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14 children trafficked from Adamawa State and sold in Anambra State for amounts ranging from N800,000 to N1.7 million have been rescued by Adamawa State Government.

On Wednesday, August 20, the Adamawa State government reunited the rescued children with their parents at a ceremony in Yola, the Adamawa state capital.

Speaking during the ceremony, Kaletapwa George Farauta, Adamawa deputy governor, said after numerous reports of missing children in July, the government set up a joint operation with security agencies to unravel the situation.

Farauta said the operation led to the arrest of one Ngozi Abdulwahab, a suspected trafficking kingpin, who operates a small provision shop in Jambutu Ward, Yola north LGA.

The deputy governor said the suspect reportedly used snacks and gifts to lure children between the ages of 4-9 before trafficking them to Anambra.

14 children ?trafficked from Adamawa and sold for N800,000 each in Anambra? are rescued

“It is a mixed feeling of sadness and joy, it is sad that today, Adamawa is on the map of an unfortunate monster ravaging the nation, the monster of child trafficking,” she said.

“This is a story we often hear happening far away, but unfortunately, it has caught up with us.

“This notorious trafficker has perfected the art of trafficking minors aged four to nine years from various communities in Adamawa to the south-eastern region of Nigeria.

“There, she sold the victims for paltry sums ranging from N800,000 to N1.7 million per child.

“She operated from a small provision shop which she owned at Jambutu ward, Yola-North LGA, where she used snacks and gifts to lure unsuspecting children.

“Today, we have rescued 14 children and rehabilitated them.”

The deputy governor said the suspects would be prosecuted under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, Adamawa Child Protection Law (2008), the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2021, and the Penal Code of the state.

She added that the family of each rescued child would receive N100,000, food, and non-food items.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Nigeria deports 51 foreigners jailed for cyberterrorism and internet fraud

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2 hours ago

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August 21, 2025

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The Nigerian Immigration Service on Thursday, August 21, deported 50 additional foreign nationals convicted and sentenced for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The convicted foreigners were part of the 192 Chinese and Philippine nationals arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2024.

The repatriated foreign nationals include 50 Chinese and one Tunisian. This brings the total of deported convicts to 102 in the ongoing exercise that commenced on Friday, August 15, 2025.

The anti-graft agency had claimed that before the raid, the cybercrime syndicate had a large-scale operation involving cyber fraud and Ponzi schemes.

The charges against the convicts included using false identities online to defraud victims, training Genting International Co. Limited employees in fraudulent practices, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.

The anti-graft agency had stated that these charges reflect serious crimes aimed at undermining Nigeria’s security and financial integrity through cybercrime and fraud.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede has described the convictions and deportations as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and financial fraud.

He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to intensifying investigations, recovering looted funds, and restoring national dignity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda.

See more photos of the ex-convicts being deported below

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Crime

20 trafficked Ghanaians found in Akwa Ibom

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16 hours ago

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August 21, 2025

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Twenty Ghanaian nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking have been rescued from a compound in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The victims, comprising 10 men and 10 women, were freed during a joint operation by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, the Ghana Police Service, and INTERPOL.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, August 20, said the raid followed a formal request for assistance from Ghanaian authorities. “On August 18, 2025, operatives of the Command successfully rescued 20 Ghanaians trafficked to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,” she said.

Acting on credible intelligence, security operatives stormed a fenced building located in Obio Etoi, Uyo Local Government Area, at about 4:17 p.m. on Monday, August 18. “The raid led to the rescue of 10 males and 10 females (names withheld), all confirmed to be Ghanaian nationals. The victims presently appear disoriented and have been unable to provide useful information, leading investigators to suspect they may have been hypnotised,” the statement read.

DSP John added that investigation is ongoing and assured that further updates will be made public in due course.

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