The Nasarawa State Police Command has uncovered and rescued 39 foreign nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria, following a coordinated operation in the Orange Market area of Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area.
First Daily correspondent learnt that the victims, 32 males and seven females were found cramped inside a bungalow, unable to communicate in any Nigerian language.
According to a post by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, on Monday, 38 of the victims are from Mali, while one female victim is from the Ivory Coast.
The operation was triggered by a report made by a Malian national, Habi Baraji, who managed to alert authorities despite speaking only French and Arabic.
Baraji told investigators he was lured from Mali to Nigeria a week earlier by another Malian identified as Abdullahi Berter, who allegedly promised him a job opportunity in France.
Upon arriving in Mararaba, Baraji realised he had been deceived.
He further alleged that Berter began pressuring him to lure more Malians to Nigeria for unclear reasons.
Baraji also informed security personnel that he suspected Berter was holding “many other victims” captive in a house in the area.
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Acting on this intelligence, detectives swiftly moved to the identified location, where they discovered the 39 foreigners held in confinement.
The group was immediately evacuated and moved into protective custody.
Security sources say the rescued victims are currently undergoing profiling while efforts are underway to contact the Malian and Ivorian consular authorities for further diplomatic and legal processes.
Police investigations into the suspected human trafficking network are ongoing, with authorities expected to make arrests as the operation widens.
All efforts by First Daily correspondent to reach the command’s spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel proved abortive as calls to his line were not going through.