FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – The Nigeria Police Force Nasarawa Command has rescued 39 Victims of Human Trafficking in Nasarawa State.
Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Mohammed-Jauro stated this during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Lafia the state capital.
He said the command has Zero-tolerance against human trafficking and is firmed in dismantling every network that exploits vulnerable persons within and beyond Nasarawa State.
According to the CP Mohammed-Jauro, “On 30th November, 2025, at about 10:40 hours, based on credible intelligence that some persons suspected to be foreign nationals who speak only French and Arabic had been sighted about a week earlier at Orange Market Mararaba, Kara Local Government Area, I immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Mararaba “A’-Division, to move to the scene for prompt action.”
“Preliminary investigation revealed that about one week earlier, one Abdullahi Berter (Male), a Malian national resident in Nigeria, allegedly lured the victims under the pretext of securing job opportunities for them in France.
“The suspect illegally transported them from Mali to Orange Market, Mararaba, where they were held captive in a bungalow and instructed to invite more persons into Nigeria for an undisclosed operation”.
“Upon receipt of this information a team of police detectives was immediately mobilized to the location, where thirty-two (32) males and seven (7) females, all Malian nationals with the exception of one person from Ivory Coast, were rescued from a bungalow at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu LGA”.
“All rescued victims will today be formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary action in line with the law,” he explained.
Jauro further said that the alleged suspect, Abdullahi Berter, who initially fled upon learning of the presence of security operatives, was, however, arrested following an intensive manhunt.
The Commissioner explained that the command also arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Abubakar Adamu of Adudu District, Obi Local Government Area, and Recovered Firearm and Ammunition.
He said; “On 24/11/2025 at about O800hrs, credible intelligence was received indicating that a suspect, believed to be involved in kidnapping activities, was in possession of a firearm”.
“Acting on this information, operatives of the Command arrested the suspect at about 1300hrs at Kertyo Village, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
“During interrogation, the suspect led detectives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to his Ruga in Adudu, where a search was conducted and the following items were recovered; “One (1) AK-47 rifle, Two (2) magazines, Eleven (11) rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition.”
He said the suspect is currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
CP however assured the people of Nasarawa State that the safety of lives and property remains their highest priority.
Signed
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
