Nasarawa Police Rescue 40 Foreign Nationals from Human Trafficking Syndicate
LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE — December 2, 2025
The Nasarawa State Police Command has successfully rescued 40 foreign nationals—mostly citizens of Mali and Ivory Coast—who were deceived and brought into Nigeria by a human trafficking syndicate under the guise of securing them employment opportunities in France.
State Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro, announced the development during a press briefing in Lafia on Saturday. He revealed that the victims were intercepted before they could be transported out of the country.
According to the Commissioner, preliminary investigations showed that the victims were lured with fraudulent promises of lucrative jobs in Europe. Instead, they were smuggled into Nigeria through illegal routes and kept in a concealed location within Nasarawa State, where they awaited onward movement facilitated by the trafficking ring.
Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed the premises and rescued the victims. CP Jauro noted that while the operation was successful, the prime suspect—believed to be the kingpin of the syndicate—remains at large. Authorities say a manhunt is underway to apprehend him along with other collaborators involved in the illicit operation.
The police have not yet released further details regarding the conditions of the rescued individuals or the specific location of the rescue, as the investigation is ongoing.
CP Jauro reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating human trafficking and safeguarding vulnerable individuals, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to law enforcement agencies.
