Posted by Samuel on Wed 30th Jul, 2025 - tori.ng
According to the PPRO, nine of the suspects are indigenes in various neighbouring West African Countries and also engage in extortion of the victims.
The Niger State Police Command has apprehended a ten-member human trafficking syndicate operating in Minna, the state capital.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 said the syndicate is suspected to specialise in international trafficking of unsuspecting victims to different locations through false pretence as travel agents.
According to the PPRO, nine of the suspects are indigenes in various neighbouring West African Countries and also engage in extortion of the victims.
Abiodun said the operation led to the rescue of 36 youths of different African countries such as Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina-Faso and Guinea
“The suspects were arrested on 18th July, 2025 at about 12.30pm based on credible intelligence received of their activities along 123 Quarters, Minna,” the statement read.
"The suspects arrested are; Sokou Doumbia, Thiarno Balbe, Hashimu Dauda Kolo, Usman Doumbia, Musa Konate, Lamine Watara, Racine Diouf, Adamu Zarbu, Alhassan Konde and Dango Aminatu.
"They were discovered to be indigenes in various neighbouring West African Countries and could basically speak in French, except their Nigerian collaborator, Hashimu who provides accommodation for the syndicate in Minna and one other.
"The operation led to the rescue of thirty-six youths of different countries such as Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina-Faso and Guinea without any documents.
During interrogation, they claimed they had come to Nigeria for an online business.
"However, all the suspects and the victims were transferred to the Interpol for further investigation and other necessary actions."