The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 30 Malian nationals from a human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation syndicate operating in Nasarawa State, with 13 suspects arrested in connection with the crime.

The police said the syndicate, which allegedly operated within the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring communities, lured vulnerable young people from West African countries with false promises of migration opportunities to Europe and lucrative jobs in Nigeria.

The victims were reportedly held in residential buildings located in Mararaba and Karu areas of Nasarawa State under exploitative and restrictive conditions.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to him, investigations into the operation began after intelligence reports revealed the suspicious disappearance of several foreign nationals within Nigeria.

Placid said preliminary findings showed that the syndicate specifically targeted young persons from countries including Mali and Gabon, convincing them to pay processing and transportation fees before transporting them into Nigeria.

“The suspects arrested include Abdul Ngaki, identified as the principal suspect and syndicate leader, alongside Fatimah Kulibali, Ahmad Kasango, Sidibe Musa, Muhammad Dembele, Saidu Traore, Ali Koulibaly, Abdul Ngeki, Ahmed Sirma, Laya Bando, Aisha Dembele, Abi Togo, and Awa Tesure,” the statement read.

He explained that upon arrival, the victims were confined in the syndicate’s hideouts in Mararaba and Karu, where they were subjected to various forms of exploitation.

The police further revealed that victims who were unable to provide additional money were allegedly forced into staged kidnapping schemes orchestrated by the syndicate.

According to Placid, the victims were compelled to contact their relatives in their home countries and falsely claim they had been kidnapped, in order to extort ransom payments from family members.

He said the ransom funds were paid into bank accounts controlled by members of the criminal network.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team conducted coordinated operations on May 7, 2026, at identified hideouts along Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi, Nasarawa State, leading to the rescue of 30 victims, all identified as Malian nationals, and the arrest of 13 suspects directly connected to the operation,” Placid stated.

The police spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling human trafficking, transnational organised crime, and other forms of exploitation across the country.

He added that investigations are ongoing and assured that all individuals connected to the syndicate would be brought to justice.