Daniel Otera
A covert police operation has exposed a transnational human trafficking ring operating from the outskirts of Nasarawa State, leading to the dramatic rescue of 23 foreign nationals and the arrest of 14 suspected kidnappers. The victims 14 men, eight women and a child were held in fortified apartments under degrading conditions, having been lured into Nigeria with fake job offers and extorted for millions in ransom.
The sting, executed by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command’s Scorpion Squad, took place at Angwan Adamu Ruga Fulani Zone B, Riverside, Ado Mararaba on the night of Tuesday, October 22, 2025. According to SP Josephine Adeh, the command’s spokesperson, the operation was triggered by intelligence reports indicating that multiple foreigners had been trafficked into Nigeria and held hostage.
“These individuals were promised lucrative employment opportunities,” Adeh confirmed. “Instead, they were trafficked through illegal border routes over a gruelling three-day journey and confined in two cramped two-bedroom flats. The captors demanded four million CFA about ₦10 million for each victim via WhatsApp and other online platforms.”
The syndicate is allegedly led by Abubakar Jigiba, a notorious figure with criminal footprints in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria. His brother, Sougule Zoubere, reportedly managed the recruitment and trafficking of victims, primarily from Mali. The victims were kept incommunicado, with one sustaining a minor ear injury and receiving treatment at National Hospital, Abuja.
The arrested suspects include:
Bubakari Cisse (40), Karamogo Dembele (25), Musa Kamsoko (23), Amadou Traore (25), Sareba Traore (24), Zoumana Diara (23), Umar Koulibaly (26), Alasgara Sagara (20), Berthe Saidu (23), Abdullahi Napo (32), Isah Goita (26), Lorita Traore (22), Mohammed Siaaibe (23), Haruna Dembele (37)
CP Miller G. Dantawaye, Commissioner of Police, FCT, praised the Scorpion Squad’s swift response, urging residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities. “This operation underscores our commitment to dismantling criminal networks and safeguarding lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, police arrested Anas Dauda, 32, after a viral video showed him brandishing an AK-47 rifle and making threats. The footage, which sparked public alarm, showed Dauda allegedly offering to sell or lease the weapon. Acting on directives from CP Dankombo Morris, officers traced and apprehended him in Mubi town. Investigations are ongoing to recover the firearm and determine its origin.
“These acts are not only criminal but deeply troubling,” said Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, Adamawa Police PRO. “We will pursue this case with utmost diligence.”
The twin operations reflect a growing concern over the use of digital platforms in criminal enterprises from recruitment scams to ransom negotiations.