By Stephen Ojo, Minna
Niger, Nigeria 🇳🇬
The Niger State Police Command has dismantled a 10-man international human trafficking syndicate and rescued 36 young victims in Minna.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, revealing that the suspects specialized in luring and transporting unsuspecting youths under the guise of being travel agents while extorting them.
According to Abiodun, the operation was carried out on July 18, 2025, at about 12:30 pm, following credible intelligence on the syndicate’s activities along 123 Quarters, Minna.
The arrested suspects were identified as Sokou Doumbia, Thiarno Balbe, Hashimu Dauda Kolo, Usman Doumbia, Musa Konate, Lamine Watara, Racine Diouf, Adamu Zarbu, Alhassan Konde, and Dango Aminatu.
He disclosed that most of the suspects are nationals of neighboring West African countries and primarily speak French, except their Nigerian collaborator, Hashimu Dauda Kolo, who provided accommodation for the group in Minna.
“The operation led to the rescue of 36 youths from Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, all without proper travel documents,” Abiodun said.
During interrogation, the suspects claimed they came to Nigeria for an online business. However, both the traffickers and victims have been handed over to Interpol for further investigation and necessary actions. For News and Refreshing Reports, visit www.krestnews.com