The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a human trafficking syndicate, rescuing seven victims and arresting four suspects.

 

 

 

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on March 14, 2026.

 

 

 

According to the PPRO, the operation was carried out on March 13, 2026, following intelligence reports that a vehicle transporting young persons suspected to be victims of trafficking was moving along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road.

 

 

 

Police operatives mounted a stop-and-search operation along the route and intercepted the vehicle, rescued four victims and arresting the suspect who was conveying them.

 

 

 

Further investigation led officers to locations in Itam and Ibaka in Mbaba Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects arrested.

 

 

 

Preliminary findings by the police indicate that the syndicate allegedly specialised in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation.

 

 

 

“Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command have successfully dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, leading to the rescue of seven victims and the arrest of four suspects involved in the criminal network,” the statement read.

 

 

 

“Acting on credible intelligence on 13th March, 2026 at about 0800 hours, police operatives swiftly mobilized a patrol team to conduct a coordinated stop-and-search operation along Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road following reports that a vehicle conveying young persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

 

 

 

“During the operation, the suspected vehicle was intercepted and four victims were immediately rescued, while the suspect conveying them was arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.

 

 

 

“Further investigation and interrogation of the suspect led to the expansion of the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects apprehended, bringing the total number of rescued victims to seven and suspects arrested to four.

 

 

 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the trafficking syndicate specializes in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation.

 

 

 

“Intelligence gathered further disclosed that one of the ring leaders had earlier escaped through the waterways from Ibaka in Mbo to Cameroon and Gabon with some victims.

 

 

 

“The victims rescued include: Asana Wohabu (F), 18 years Cotonou, Benin Republic, Fusina Seru (F), 20 years Cotonou, Benin Republic, Mulica Ismali (F), 20 years Oyo State, Nigeria, Saidat Ismali (F), 19 years Oyo State, Nigeria, Safura Ismali (F), 20 years Oyo State, Nigeria, Latif Ali (M), 19 years Cotonou, Benin Republic, Malike Michel (M) Lome, Togo.

 

 

 

“The suspects currently in police custody are: Udeme Jacob (F), 20 years Mbo LGA, Effiong Ekop (M) Ibiono Ibom LGA, John Okon (M) Mbo LGA and Ndukwe Ogbonnaya (F) Bende LGA, Abia State.

 

 

 

“Investigation still ongoing. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.

 

 

 

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reiterates its commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of organized crime, and assures members of the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.

 

 

 

“Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to the Police to aid in protecting vulnerable persons and strengthening community safety.