Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
Operatives of the IGP Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force led by its commander, DCP Adamu Muazu have busted a foreign trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State and rescued 30 Malian nationals allegedly held captive by the gang.
A police source familiar with the operation disclosed on Saturday that the rescue followed a petition written by leaders of the Malian diaspora community in Nigeria over the plight of their nationals allegedly trafficked into the country under false pretences.
According to the source, several victims had contacted their relatives in Mali, claiming they were being held hostage with their hands tied while their captors demanded money for their release.
“A leader from the Malian diaspora group wrote a petition to the IRT and our commander swung into action. There have been many complaints about their loved ones asking them to send money, saying they were being held hostage with their hands tied and money was being demanded for their release,” the source said.
The source added that one of the parents of the victims initially paid money demanded by the traffickers, only for the victim to call again two weeks later seeking further assistance.
“After 17 days of relentless follow-up, our men eventually succeeded in rescuing about 15 Malian nationals who were lured, kidnapped and kept under captivity in a residential apartment at Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi area of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State,” the source added.
During the operation, police arrested 12 Malians and one Nigerian suspected to be linked to the trafficking network.
Investigations later led operatives to another apartment in the same area where an additional 15 victims were rescued.
“In total, 13 suspects, mostly Malians, were arrested by our men while others escaped. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the source said.
The police further disclosed that the prime suspect allegedly rented the two apartments used for the operation at the cost of N1.9m and N1.7m respectively.
The victims are expected to be handed over to officials of the Malian Embassy on Monday.
A copy of the petition dated April 23, 2026, and signed by the President of the Malian Citizens Diaspora Organisation in Nigeria, Dembélé Talibé, alleged that the victims were deceived and trafficked into Nigeria by a criminal network operating under the guise of “Q-NET.”
According to the petition, the syndicate promised the victims lucrative job opportunities and better living conditions before subjecting them to exploitation and confinement upon arrival in Nigeria.
“This victim was deceitfully lured from Mali into Nigeria under false pretences by a criminal network operating under the guise of ‘Q-NET,’ a group that presents itself as an employment and investment organisation,” the petition read in part.
The group appealed for urgent intervention and support for the victims, including humanitarian assistance, psychosocial support and safe repatriation to Mali.
One of the rescued victims, identified as Idirisaa Kaulibali, said he was invited to Nigeria by his half-sister with promises of making money.
“I was invited here by my half-sister to come and make money in Nigeria. When I got here, they said I needed money to join them,” he said.
“They told me they sell wristwatches online, so I had to tie my hands and ask my parents to send money so I could start the business. I am not the only one who did that. All of us did the same.”
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