Nigerian Immigration rescues 59 women, children from human trafficking in borno

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 59 women and children from a human trafficking attempt from Katsina State to N’Djamena, the capital of the Republic of Chad.

The Borno State Comptroller of Immigration, Muktari Tanimu Musa, disclosed the development in Maiduguri on Tuesday, saying the victims were intercepted at Ngamboru, a border town near Nigeria’s frontier with Cameroon.

Musa said the group was travelling with a suspected trafficking agent, who allegedly lured them with promises of “good jobs” in Chad.

“After interviewing them, it became clear they were being trafficked. The agent deceived them with false employment offers. Many of the victims did not understand the risks involved,” he said.

The comptroller noted that the command had intensified surveillance along the Maiduguri–Ngala axis and was working with the Borno State Government to strengthen border security and curb the movement of trafficked persons through the corridor.

He urged Nigerians to be cautious of individuals offering foreign job opportunities, particularly those promoting so-called white-collar jobs abroad, stressing that legitimate employment opportunities exist within Nigeria.

Musa warned that traffickers often exploit victims for criminal activities, including organ harvesting, and highlighted that trafficking networks sometimes operate with local support.

“These activities are sometimes aided by community members. But recent breakthroughs came because of stronger cooperation with transport operators, drug control officers, and community leaders in Banki and Ngamboru Ngala,” he said.

He added that he had visited the border communities to meet chairmen and stakeholders, urging them to share timely intelligence with officers.

The NIS has profiled the rescued victims and will hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further care and investigation.

Musa appealed to media organisations to support public awareness campaigns, saying, “The media play a crucial role in educating communities about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking. Their support is essential.”

Nigerian Immigration rescues 59 women, children from human trafficking in borno

Yobe police arrest 26 persons for illegal tree felling, desertification in Tarmuwa LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested 26 individuals for criminal conspiracy, unlawful felling of trees, and deliberate desertification in the bush area of Garaji village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

According to sources the suspects, all male residents of Damaturu LGA, allegedly went into the bush on 02/02/2026 and cut down a large number of trees without the knowledge or approval of the local government authorities.

The act was described as deliberate and in violation of Yobe State laws that prohibit felling of trees to prevent desertification.

The police, acting on a complaint by Habu Mandadawa, Supervisor of the Tarmuwa Local Government Agricultural Department, visited the scene alongside members of the local vigilante group. During the operation, the officers recovered large quantities of firewood from the suspects at the scene.

The command noted that the illegal activity poses a significant environmental threat, contributing to land degradation and desert encroachment in the state.

Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated, the police said.

The police appealed to residents to report any unlawful environmental destruction to authorities to safeguard natural resources and prevent further desertification.

Yobe police arrest 26 persons for illegal tree felling, desertification in Tarmuwa LGA

Niger State Police rescue four kidnapped tree cutters in Kankara

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has rescued four abducted tree cutters following a gunfight with armed bandits in Makulawa bush, Kankara Local Government Area.

According to sources the incident occurred on Feb. 3, 2026, at about 1230hrs, when police patrol teams on confidence-building patrol along Ketare–Kankara Road intercepted a group of suspected bandits hiding in the bush.

The patrol teams engaged the criminals in a sustained gun duel, forcing them to retreat into the forest. The operation led to the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims, identified as Ibrahim Dauda, 40; Yakubu Aliyu, 32; Hamisu Saidu, 23; and Aminu Garba, 22, all residents of Malumfashi Township.

The victims were safely reunited with their families, while major escape routes of the bandits were immediately blocked, and efforts to apprehend the fleeing culprits are ongoing.

The police confirmed that further developments will be communicated as the investigation continues.

Niger State Police rescue four kidnapped tree cutters in Kankara