The Police in Niger State have arrested a 10-man syndicate in Minna suspected to specialised in international human trafficking.
The state Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun who stated this in Minna on Wednesday, gave the names of the suspects as Sokou Doumbia, Thiarno Balbe, Hashimu Dauda Kolo, Usman Doumbia, Musa Konate, Lamine Watara, Racine Diouf, Adamu Zarbu, Alhassan Konde and Dango Aminatu.
He said the suspects were arrested on July 18, at about 12.30pm based on credible intelligence received on their activities along 123 Quarters, Minna.
“They were discovered to be nationals of some neighbouring West African countries and could basically speak in French, except their Nigerian collaborator, Kolo who provides accommodation for the syndicate in Minna and one other.
“The operation also led to the rescue of 36 youths to from Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina-Faso and Guinea without any documents,” he stated.
Abiodun said during interrogation, they claimed they had come to Nigeria for an online business.
The syndicate is believed to be acting as travel agents under false pretence and trafficking of unsuspecting victims to different countries.
The statement said all the suspects and the victims were transferred to the Interpol for further investigation and other necessary actions.
