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THE Nigerian Police Force has arrested three alleged international human traffickers, namely: Daniel Aondofa (26 years), Orgba Solomon, aka Terry(28 years ), the gang leader, resident in the Republic of Benin, and Thankgod Ocho (25 years), all indigenes of Benue State.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the force, Victor Ogbiede Godfrey, said the operation was conducted between 1st and 27th October and that a female victim from Mali was also rescued.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Police said the investigation revealed that Miss Godiya Amos, aged 21 years, from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, was lured by Orgba Solomon with promises of lucrative employment abroad on 26th September, 2026 and was transported through Lagos and illegal border routes into the Republic of Benin before being moved to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where female victims were forced into prostitution.
“Before her departure, Solomon confiscated her mobile phone and travel documents, cutting off communication with her family. She was subsequently handed over to other members of the trafficking network and sold for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately ₦770,000. Her refusal to engage in prostitution attracted severe beatings, and she was allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being compelled into sexual exploitation”.
The Police stressed that a report by the victim’s sister triggered STS-FID operatives to commence the intelligence-led investigation.
“On 18th October, 2026, Orgba Solomon returned to Nigeria to recruit more females for trafficking to Senegal and Mali. During the operation, three other female victims, namely Miss Martha Godiya, Miss Amina Usman and Miss Hadisa Yahaya, were rescued and reunited with their families.
“Further digital intelligence led to the arrest of Solomon and two other members of the trafficking network, Daniel Aondofa and Thankgod Ocho. The three confessed to their involvement in the criminal enterprise and provided useful information that facilitated the rescue of Miss Godiya Amos from Mali.
“The victim, Miss Godiya, further disclosed that approximately 42 Nigerian females are being held in a makeshift Camp within a remote Gold-mining settlement, where they are subjected to forced prostitution and severe slave-like conditions, with their movements restricted and escape made extremely difficult.
“Investigation is ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of the trafficking network and rescue additional victims”.
The STS also said it arrested another criminal syndicate specialized in car theft and named
Aminu Shafiu and Mohammed Yahaya, both from Adamawa, and recovered:
Toyota Corolla (Blue) registration number ABC 81 AA,
Toyota Corolla (Ash),
Toyota Pontiac Vibe (Maro), registration number YABC 325 AM,
Toyota Siena (Gold), registration number YMT 728 SU, and
Toyota Pontiac (White), registration number ABJ 226 EX.
It also arrested alleged gun runners and logistics suppliers to banditry, Musa Lawal and Bello Abubakar, both from Katsina as well as Abubakar Mohammed from Yobe State.
