In a major breakthrough against kidnapping and human trafficking, the FCT Police Command’s Scorpion Squad has arrested 14 suspected kidnappers and rescued 23 victims, all foreign nationals.
The operation by the squad led to the arrest of the suspects – Bubakari Cisse (40), Karamogo Dembele (25), Musa Kamsoko (23), Amadou Traore (25), Sareba Traore (24), Zoumana Diara (23), and Umar Koulibaly (26).
Others are Alasgara Sagara (20), Berthe Saidu (23), Abdullahi Napo (32), Isah Goita (26), Lorita Traore (22), Mohammed Siaaibe (23), and Haruna Dembele (37).
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement sent to Persecondnews on Friday, October 31, the intelligence-led operation took place at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, at Angwan Adamu Ruga Fulani Zone B, Riverside, Ado Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
The statement reads: “The operation followed a report indicating that several foreign nationals had been lured into Nigeria under the pretext of lucrative job offers. Upon arrival, they were held hostage by their abductors, who demanded ransom payments from their families via WhatsApp and other online platforms.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate is coordinated by one Abubakar Jigiba, a transnational criminal kingpin with known residences in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria.
“His younger brother, Sougule Zoubere, handles the recruitment, kidnapping, and smuggling of victims from Mali into Nigeria, where they are detained pending ransom payments.
“The group demanded four million CFA (N10,000,000) for each victim.
“Further investigations revealed that the victims were trafficked into the country through illegal border routes in a journey lasting about three days. They were subsequently confined in two fortified two-bedroom apartments under inhumane conditions.
“Acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence, the Scorpion Squad traced the hideout to the above address where a total number of 23 victims, comprising 14 males, eight females, and one child, all unhurt, except one who sustained a minor ear injury and has been taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical attention.”
It also said: “Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the principal suspect, Abubakar Jigiba, his brother Sougule Zoubere, who are currently at large.
“The FCT Police Commissioner, Miller G. Dantawaye, commended the Scorpion Squad for the swift operation, and called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the command via its emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883 CRU: 08107314192.”
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