Nasarawa State Police Command said that it has rescued 39 foreign nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
The Commissioner of Police Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Mohammed-Jauro, disclosed this in a press briefing on the achievements of the command on Monday in Lafia.
He said that the suspected trafficked victims were rescued from Orange Market, Mararaba in Karu local government area of Nasarawa State.
According to the CP, preliminary investigation revealed that a Malian national, one Abdullahi Berter (male), resident in Nigeria, allegedly lured the victims under the pretext of securing jobs for them in France.
The CP further informed that the suspect illegally transported his victims from Mali to Orange Market, Mararaba, where he held them captive in a bungalow.
The suspect, Berter, instructed to invite more persons into Nigeria for an undisclosed operation.
The CP said, “On Nov. 30, at about 10:40 hours, some persons suspected to be foreign nationals, who speak only French and Arabic, were reportedly sighted, about a week earlier, at Orange Market, Mararaba.“Based on credible intelligence, I immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Mararaba ‘A’ Division to move to the scene for prompt action.
“A team of police detectives was immediately mobilised to the location, where 33 males and 7 females, all Malian nationals except one person from Ivory Coast, were rescued from a bungalow at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu LGA,” Mohammed-Jauro added.
He further said that Berter, who initially fled upon learning of the presence of security operatives was however arrested following an intensive manhunt.
“All rescued victims will be formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary action in line with the law,” the commissioner said.
He said that the command also arrested one Abubakar Adamu, a suspected kidnapper, and recovered a firearm and ammunition at Kertyo Village, Obi local government area of Nasarawa State.
“During interrogation, the suspect led detectives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to his Ruga in Adudu, where a search was conducted.“The following items were recovered: 1 AK-47 rifle, 2 Magazines and 11 rounds of live 7.62x39mm ammunition,” he said.
Mohammed-Jauro assured the people of Nasarawa State that the safety of lives and property remained the command’s highest priority.
He said that the command would continue to put criminals on the run, dismantle trafficking and criminal networks.
