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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Police Command has rescued 39 illegal immigrants and arrested a suspected kidnapper in two separate operations carried out across the state.
Commissioner of Police Shettima Mohammed Jauro revealed this on Monday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, Shendam Road, Lafia, where he reaffirmed the Command’s “zero-tolerance stance against human trafficking and criminality in all forms.”
According to him, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence on November 30, which indicated the presence of suspected foreign nationals at Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area.
“Based on credible intelligence that some persons suspected to be foreign nationals who speak only French and Arabic had been sighted, I immediately directed the DPO Mararaba ‘A’ Division to move to the scene for prompt action,” he said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were allegedly trafficked by one Abdullahi Berter, a Malian national residing in Nigeria, who reportedly lured them with false promises of jobs in France.
The police boss explained that Berter transported the victims from Mali to Nigeria and held them captive in a bungalow at Orange Market. “He instructed them to invite more persons into Nigeria for an undisclosed operation,” Jauro said.
A team of detectives later stormed the location and successfully rescued 32 males and seven females, all Malians except one Ivorian. “The prime suspect is currently at large, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend him and other members of the syndicate,” he added.
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CP Jauro stated that the victims would be formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary actions.
In a separate operation, the Command arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abubakar Adamu of Adudu District in Awe Local Government Area.
The Commissioner said the arrest followed intelligence received on 24 November 2025, indicating that the suspect was in possession of a firearm.
“Acting on this information, operatives of the Command arrested the suspect at Kertyo Village in Obi LGA. During interrogation, he led detectives to his Ruga in Adudu, where a search was conducted,” Jauro noted.
Recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and eleven rounds of live 7.62×39mm ammunition.
“The suspect is currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation,” the CP confirmed.
Jauro reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safety, stressing that “Nasarawa State is not a safe haven for human trafficking or any form of criminal activity.”
“We will continue to put criminals on the run and dismantle trafficking and criminal networks. Justice will find you wherever you hide,” he declared.
