NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has commenced a major onslaught against organized human traffcking criminal gang in the country as its operatives have arrested two Abuja based high profile figures suspected to be the arrowhead of a trans border human trafficking syndicate operating within the West African and Gulf of Guninea regions.

According to a press statement signed by the agency press officer, Vincent Adekoye on Thursday, the suspects Emmanuel Igwe (32 years old) and Ugochukwu Christian (30 Years old) were mentioned by some of the human trafficking victims who are presently stranded in Côte d’ d’Ivoire during their conversation with the popular human rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as the VeryDarkMan (VDM), thereby prompting his intervention and subsequent visit to the Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja.

Adekoye said the suspects were arrested inside their sprawling mansion, which is located in one of the popular estates in the Lugbe Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that the tastefully furnished mansion equiped with various devices also serves as the Command Base and Residence for the gang.

He said during the operation led by the head of operations of the agency, which lasted several hours due to the high-tech facilities of the smart house that hinder free access, two suspected victims of human trafficking were also rescued.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were recruited by the suspects, subjected to an oath of secrecy already, and were undergoing marathonic sexual orientation from the suspects as they were stalked naked and in sexual romp when operatives burst into their rooms

Speaking with the operatives after the rescue, one of the victims (name withheld) disclosed that they were recruited from one of the Eastern States and were promised a highly paid job in a flourishing mall in Ivory Coast.

The victim recalled: “They told me that the Mall will be paying me in foreign currencies and that I will pay them back a total of 2.2 Million Cfas. They already took us to take an oath in one of the shrines located outside Abuja. I did not know, and I cannot recollect the location of the place. But, I know that we travelled for about three hours away from Gwagwalada to the Shrine.”

Adekoye said the arrest of the suspects followed an escalation of conversation and report from the NAPTIP Social Media platforms and subsequent credible intelligence shared by one of the partnering sister security agencies, indicating the location of the suspects.

It would be recalled that VDM had last week, Thursday, visited the Headquarters of NAPTIP to express his concern over the plight of some victims of human trafficking in Côte D’ d’Ivoire and promised to join hands with the Agency to rescue them and also create the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking. He also uploaded additional information through a video post on his handles on the profile of the traffickers.

In reaction to the viral video that exposed their activities, the suspects had called their victims and threatened to unleash terror on them if they reneged on their promise to engage in prostitution and pay them the agreed sum of 2.2 million cefas.

Speaking on the arrest, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, said the agency is poised to dismantle all human trafficking syndicates that are recruiting, trafficking, and subjecting Nigerians to various forms of exploitation anywhere around the world.

She said: “The arrest of the two suspects is a component of our well-planned onslaught against human traffickers in the country. They are members of the trans border criminal gangs operating within the West African Region, and it is good that we can lay our hands on them.

“I recalled that during the visit of VDM to the agency last week, we assured him that NAPTIP shall do the needful. We stand by our words, and in line with our mandates, we shall make it difficult for them to operate in Nigeria.

“We have also activated the necessary apparatus and initiated discussions with Partners State and Non-State Actors within the neighbouring countries and specifically in Côte D’ d’Ivoire, towards rescuing the victims stranded there.

“I sincerely thank all our Partners and stakeholders with specific reference to the VDM, for their support to the agency. He visited the agency last week, and from the discussion with him, he has a deep passion for the country. He has also demonstrated this with his support towards the evacuation of the victims.

“I wish to state that the game is over for human traffickers in Nigeria as NAPTIP is ready to choke them unless they desist from recruiting and trafficking of our citizens.”

The Director General added that full investigation on the matter has commenced and the suspects and any other persons connected to the case shall be prosecuted if found cupable at the end.

NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

Communal Clash in Niger State Claims One Life, Several Injured

By: Zagazola Makama

One person has been confirmed dead while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a communal clash between youths from Gbangba and Tsado Gonna villages in Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, reportedly involved a group of armed youths from Gbangba, led by individuals identified as Alhaji Ndasabe, Alhaji Abu, Alhaji Adama, and Gbongbo. The assailants, said to be armed with cutlasses, dane guns, sticks, and other weapons, launched an attack on Tsado Gonna village at about 2 p.m.

According to a report received at the Divisional Headquarters in Kataeregi from the village head of Tsado Gonna, Alhaji Isah Abubakar, the attackers stormed his residence and violently assaulted his children Mohammed Dakachi, Abdullahi Mohammed, Mohammed Isah, Adamu Isah, Abubakar Isah (75 years old), and Fati Mahmud.

All victims were rushed to the Primary Health Centre in Kakakpangi, while some in critical condition were later referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for advanced care.

Upon mobilisation to the scene, police operatives discovered the lifeless body of one Haji Yadama, a resident of Tsado Gonna, at the compound of the village head. Also destroyed during the attack were a Bajaj motorcycle and a yam storage bin, with damages estimated at over one million naira.

Security forces have since restored calm to the area, while efforts are ongoing to arrest all suspects involved in the violent clash.

Communal Clash in Niger State Claims One Life, Several Injured

Troops Intervene in Plateau Cow Poisoning Incident, Prevent Retaliatory Attack

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have swiftly intervened in an incident involving the suspected poisoning of livestock in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, where 32 cows belonging to a local herder were reported dead under mysterious circumstances.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in an open field along the Zawura-Jebbu Miango axis, between Dutsen Kura and Jebbu Miango, a region historically prone to ethno-farmer-herder tension.

According to military sources, the affected herder, Mr. Samaila Nuhu, reported that his animals began showing strange symptoms after grazing in the area, prompting suspicions of deliberate poisoning.

Troops under Sector 3 of OPSH, deployed to the scene following a distress call, confirmed that the cattle had already been slaughtered by the herders themselves, in a bid to salvage any usable meat. A subsequent search of the area led to the discovery of suspected poisoned tomatoes and garden eggs scattered across the field. No residential structures were found nearby, raising suspicion that the poisoned produce may have been deliberately placed by unknown individuals.

In response, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander OPSH led a high-powered delegation, including the Chairman of Bassa LGA, the Divisional Police Officer, and other stakeholders, to the site for an on-the-spot assessment. The visit served to calm tensions and forestall any reprisal attacks from the affected Fulani community.

A military source told Zagazola Makama under that the, “The situation was tense but under control. Our engagement with the community, especially the leadership of the herders, was crucial. We made it clear that investigations are ongoing and justice will be pursued through the appropriate channels.”

To further defuse tensions, the military facilitated dialogue with the herders and invited their representatives to an expanded stakeholders’ meeting at the Division Headquarters scheduled for Thursday. The goal, according to insiders, is to build trust and end the cycle of violence through transparency and proactive conflict resolution.

The herders have reportedly agreed not to retaliate, citing assurances from security agencies that their grievances will be addressed. Military authorities are also exploring options to support the affected families with compensation to mitigate their losses and maintain peace in the area.

As at the time of filing this report, the area remains calm but under close surveillance. Troop morale and operational readiness were reported to be satisfactory.

The incident is the latest in a series of provocations that call attention to the fragility of peace in parts of Plateau State, and the ongoing need for coordinated civil-military interventions to de-escalate conflict triggers in rural communities.

Troops Intervene in Plateau Cow Poisoning Incident, Prevent Retaliatory Attack