In what is seen as a major crackdown on a suspected human trafficking syndicate, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested at least43 individuals, including suspected traffickers and illegal immigrants.
The operation, it was gathered was carried out following a formal petition filed by a Ghanaian national to the Interpol Unit in Abuja.
According to police sources, the arrest followed a complaint lodged on July 4, 2025, in which the petitioner reported that her brother, David Agerinya, had gone missing after being deceptively lured to Nigeria in 2024 by a friend under the guise of a lucrative job opportunity.
Acting swiftly on the petition, the Tactical Intelligence and Response Squad (TIRS) deployed ICT-based tracking tools and analyzed phone numbers provided by the complainant. The intelligence-led operation led to the discovery and arrest of 42 illegal immigrants, including three individuals believed to be key trafficking agents.
Further investigation enabled officers to successfully locate and rescue David Agerinya, who had been held incommunicado since his arrival in Nigeria.
All 43 individuals—including the rescued victim—were taken into custody and are currently undergoing profiling and further interrogation at a secured police facility.
Police sources confirmed that arrangements are underway to transfer the case to Interpol for international investigation and prosecution under relevant human trafficking and illegal migration laws.
“The suspects will be handed over to Interpol to enable a comprehensive and discreet investigation into the cross-border network,” one senior police officer disclosed.
This latest development underscores Nigeria’s commitment to collaborating with international partners to combat human trafficking and dismantle transnational criminal networks.
