Police Rescue 40 Malian, Ivorian Trafficking Victims in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 40 victims of human trafficking, including 33 males and 7 females, from a bungalow in Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of the State.

The Police Commissioner, Mohammed Shetima Jauro, made this known while briefing journalists in Lafia, the state capital.

According to him, the victims, mostly Malian nationals, were lured to Nigeria with promises of job opportunities in France.

He said they were allegedly held captive and forced to contact other potential victims to join them in Nigeria.

The CP said police acted on credible intelligence and swiftly mobilised a team to the scene, where they rescued the victims.

“Upon receipt of this information, a team of police detectives was immediately mobilised to the location, where thirty-two (33) males and seven (7) females, all Malian nationals with the exception of one person from Ivory Coast, were rescued from a bungalow at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu LGA.”

He, however, added that the prime suspect, Abdullahi Berter, a Malian national had been been arrested after a manhunt launched to apprehend him and other members of the trafficking syndicate.

The rescued victims were later handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary action.

The police assured of continued effects to unravel the full extent of the trafficking operation and bring those responsible to justice.

Confirming the receipt of the victims, State Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service, Sekure Ubale, said his Command also arrested additional 20 Malians, who would be profiled for repatriation to their countries.

In another development, the Command has also arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abubakar Adamu, and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from him.

The suspect, a resident of Adudu District, Obi Local Government Area, was arrested on November 24, 2025, at Kertyo Village, Obi LGA.

According to the police, credible intelligence led to the arrest, and during interrogation, the suspect led detectives to his hideout, where one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 11 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

“During interrogation, the suspect led detectives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to his Ruga in Adudu, where a search was conducted and items recovered from him including One (1) AK-47 rifle, Two (2) magazines, Eleven (11) rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition.”

The suspect was currently undergoing investigation and would face prosecution upon completion of the investigation.

The Police Commissioner assured the public that the safety of lives and property remains their top priority, vowing to pursue traffickers and criminals relentlessly and dismantle their networks.

He warned that Nasarawa State is not a safe haven for human trafficking and other crimes, assuring that justice would be served accordingly.

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