Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, rescuing seven victims and arresting four suspects, the police said on Saturday.
The development followed a tip-off on Friday, March 13, 2026, which prompted officers to mobilize a patrol team along the Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road. The operation led to the interception of a vehicle suspected to be ferrying young persons for trafficking.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed in a statement that “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 expanded the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, resulting in the rescue of three additional victims and the arrest of three more suspects. “This brings the total number of rescued victims to seven and suspects arrested to four,” DSP John added.
The victims rescued include Asana Wohabu, 18, Fusina Seru, 20, both from Cotonou, Benin Republic; Mulica Ismali, 20, Saidat Ismali, 19, and Safura Ismali, 20, all from Oyo State, Nigeria; as well as Latif Ali, 19, from Cotonou, Benin Republic, and Malike Michel from Lome, Togo.
The suspects in custody are Udeme Jacob, 20, from Mbo LGA; Effiong Ekop from Ibiono Ibom LGA; John Okon from Mbo LGA; and Ndukwe Ogbonnaya from Bende LGA, Abia State.
DSP John further revealed that “preliminary investigation showed that the trafficking syndicate specializes in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation. Intelligence gathered also disclosed that one of the ring leaders had earlier escaped through the waterways from Ibaka in Mbo to Cameroon and Gabon with some victims.”
He assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reiterates its commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of organized crime, and encourages residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to aid in protecting vulnerable persons and strengthening community safety,” DSP John said.
