By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger State Police have rescued 36 young victims from a 10- man syndicate suspected to specialised in international human trafficking arrested in Minna
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun stated this in a statement in Minna.
He explained that the unsuspecting victims were being taken to different locations by the syndicate pretending to be travel agents and engaging in extortion of the victims.
He said, “The suspects were arrested on 18th July, 2025 at about 12.30pm based on credible intelligence received of their activities along 123 Quarters, Minna”.
He listed the suspects arrested as Sokou Doumbia, Thiarno Balbe, Hashimu Dauda Kolo,
Usman Doumbia, Musa Konate,
Lamine Watara, Racine Diouf,
Adamu Zarbu, Alhassan Konde and Dango Aminatu.
According to the PPRO, the suspects were discovered to be indigene of various neighbouring West African Countries and could basically speak in French, except their Nigerian collaborator, Hashimu .
He said Hashimu provided accommodation for the syndicate in Minna, adding that, ” the operation led to the rescue of 36 youths of different countries such as Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina-Faso and Guinea without any documents”.
SP Abiodun explained that during interrogation, they claimed they had come to Nigeria for an online business, adding that, ” however, all the suspects and the victims were transferred to the Interpol for further investigation and other necessary actions”.
