Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 39 foreign nationals suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
The Commissioner of Police, Shettima Mohammed-Jauro, disclosed this in a press briefing on the achievements of the command in Lafia, yesterday.
Mohammed-Jauro said the suspected trafficked victims were rescued from Orange Market, Mararaba in Karu Local Government Area.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that a Malian national, Abdullahi Berter (male), resident in Nigeria, allegedly lured the victims under the pretext of securing job for them in France.
The commissioner noted that the suspect illegally transported his victims from Mali to Orange Market, Mararaba and held them captive in a bungalow.
He (Berter) instructed to invite more persons into Nigeria for an undisclosed operation.
“On November 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 seven females, all Malian nationals except one person from Ivory Coast, were rescued from a bungalow at Orange Market, Mararaba”, Mohammed-Jauro said.
He added 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 in line with the law”, the commissioner said.
He said the command also arrested Abubakar Adamu, a suspected kidnapper, and recovered a firearm and ammunition at Kertyo Village, Obi Local Government Area.
“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: one AK-47 rifle, two nagazines 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 remains the command’s highest priority.
He said the command would continue to put criminals on the run, dismantle trafficking and criminal networks. NAN
