Metro

NAPTIP Arrests Eight Human Trafficking Suspects, Rescues 29

Published

3 months ago

August 20, 2025

Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons have arrested eight persons suspected to be members of the notorious human trafficking syndicate operating between Nigeria and Ghana.

The operatives also rescued 29 suspects, most of whom are foreign nationals of some West African countries, during an operation.

The Press Officer at NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed this in a press statement on Wednesday.

Adekoye noted that the operation was carried out at a popular apartment located in the hidden part of Gwagwalada, the suburb of Abuja, following an intelligence report by one of the Foreign Embassies in Abuja.

The latest development came barely a few days after the agency disrupted another trafficking arrangement in Abuja and rescued 25 women en route to Saudi Arabia for domestic exploitation.

The statement reads, “Detailed investigation revealed that the agency received an official intelligence from the Ghanaian Embassy concerning a suspected case of human trafficking involving a Ghanaian national.

“According to the embassy, the victim was allegedly recruited in Ghana under false pretences and transported to Nigeria, where he was subjected to exploitation. The embassy requested the agency’s urgent intervention in line with existing bilateral cooperation agreements and anti-trafficking frameworks.

“The victim was allegedly defrauded of $3,500 by a suspected trafficking syndicate that had promised him legitimate opportunities in Nigeria.

“Upon his arrival in Nigeria, the traffickers confiscated his international passport and personal belongings, leaving him vulnerable and at the mercy of the syndicate.”

The agency stated that the report triggered immediate operational action in compliance with its mandate to prevent, suppress and prosecute trafficking in persons as provided under national and international legal frameworks.

“During the raid, a total of eight suspects were apprehended. The suspects are believed to be members of an organised trafficking network operating between Ghana and Nigeria.

“They are currently in custody, undergoing profiling and interrogation.

“Also, 29 victims were successfully rescued. The victims comprise 20 females aged between 17–28 and nine males aged between 18–30. They were immediately taken into protective custody.

“The international passport and other personal belongings of the primary victim were recovered during the operation.

“Other materials suspected to be linked to trafficking activities were also seized, including mobile phones, SIM cards, and financial transaction records,” it highlighted.

It said further investigation revealed that the victims whose temporary permits had since expired were trafficked to Nigeria by the syndicate for alleged sexual exploitation and cybercrime activities.

“While the 29 rescued victims have been transferred to a safe shelter where they are receiving immediate assistance, the agency has commenced discussions with the relevant diplomatic missions for the foreign nationals among the rescued persons,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, decried the activities of the trans border human traffickers and the new trends of foreign nationals as victims.

Bello said, “This case highlights the transnational dimension of human trafficking and the vulnerabilities of individuals seeking better opportunities across borders.

“The swift intervention by the Agency, in collaboration with the Ghanaian Embassy, demonstrates the importance of timely intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement response.

“The suspects in this will face the full wrath of the law, and just like I warned a few weeks ago, the atmosphere in Nigeria will continue to be tough for them to operate.

“We shall continue to disrupt their operation, intercept and rescue the victims, and also prosecute them.

“The agency remains committed to its mandate of ensuring justice for victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and strengthening partnerships at both national and international levels to eradicate human trafficking.”

Metro

JUST IN: Court Rules Judgment In Kanu’s Terrorism Trial

Published

5 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has said that the judgment in the trial of the self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will be delivered in the defendant’s absence.

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Omotoso gave the ruling during the resumed trial of Kanu on Thursday following what he described as Kanu’s unruly behavour in court.

The judge had earlier ordered the IPOB leader to be removed from the courtroom after he became unruly midway through proceedings on Thursday.

Omotoso had ruled and dismissed three fresh motions filed by Kanu after the case was adjourned for judgment and dismissed them for being unmeritorious.

As the judge moved to deliver the ruling earlier, scheduled for Thursday, November 20, Kanu argued that the court could not proceed because he had yet to file his final written address.

Raising his voice, Kanu accused Omotosho of being biased and claimed that the judge did not know the law.

Kanu was later moved out of the courtroom, while the judge proceeded to deliver the final judgment in his absence.

Metro

BREAKING: Judge Orders Kanu Out Of Court Over ‘Unruly’ Conduct

Published

5 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Nnamdi Kanu of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to be removed from the courtroom following his “unruly” conduct before the judgement in the matter on Thursday.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, dismissed three fresh motions filed by Kanu after the case was adjourned for judgment and dismissed them for being unmeritorious.

The judge further ruled that because of his “unruly and violent behaviour”, the main judgement can be delivered in his absence.

When the judge moved to deliver the ruling earlier scheduled for Thursday, Kanu argued that the court could not proceed because he was yet to file his final written address.

Raising his voice, Kanu accused the judge of being biased and claimed that the judge did not know the law.

The judge subsequently proceeded to deliver the judgement.

Details shortly….

Metro

Ogun Motorcyclist Arrested For Killing Wife, Conveying Corps In Sack

Published

5 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a motorcycle rider identified as Godonu Lowe, for allegedly killing his wife and transporting her corpse in an attempt to escape from the community in Ilaro area of the state.

Lowe, who had hidden the corpse of his wife in a sack tied to the back of his motorcycle, was intercepted during a stop-and-search operations on Wednesday.

The Command’s Spokesperson, Omolola Odutola in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Thursday, said the suspect was arrested at about 1:05 p.m. following a credible information.

Odutola revealed that the corpse had marks of violence, bleeding around the neck, adding that blood-stained cutlass was also recovered at the crime scene.

She said, “On Wednesday, 19th November 2025, at about 1305hrs, the Divisional Police Officer in Ilaro received credible information that a suspected felon, Godonu Lowe ‘m’ of Omolende Village via Idogo, was transporting the corpse of an unknown woman on a motorcycle in an attempt to escape from the community.

“Acting swiftly, police operatives intercepted the suspect and a sack tied to the back of his motorcycle was untied. The content was discovered to be the corpse of an adult female, later identified as his wife.

“The body bore marks of violence, bleeding around the neck, suggesting foul play. A blood-stained cutlass was recovered at the crime scene.”

Odutola noted that the suspect has been taken into custody and the remains of the victim deposited at the State Morgue in Ilaro for preservation and autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, while commending the anonymous informant, urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist the police in crime prevention and detection, stressing that even the slightest suspicion reported to the police could save lives.