RismadarVoice Reporters, March 14, 2026
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, rescuing seven victims and arresting four suspected members of the criminal network.
According to a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence received on March 13, 2026, at about 8:00a.m.
Police operatives swiftly mobilized and mounted a coordinated stop-and-search operation along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road after receiving reports of a vehicle allegedly conveying young persons suspected to be victims of trafficking.
During the operation, the vehicle was intercepted, leading to the immediate rescue of four victims and the arrest of the suspect transporting them.
Further investigation and interrogation of the suspect prompted an expansion of the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects apprehended.
This brought the total number of victims rescued to seven and suspects arrested to four.
Preliminary findings indicate that the syndicate specialises in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation.
Police intelligence also revealed that one of the suspected ringleaders had earlier fled through the waterways from Ibaka to neighbouring countries, including Cameroon and Gabon, with some victims.
The rescued victims comprise young persons from Nigeria and other West African countries, while the suspects are currently in police custody assisting with ongoing investigations.
The Command assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling human trafficking and other organized crimes.
Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies to help safeguard vulnerable persons and strengthen community safety.
