The Nasarawa State Police Command has intercepted 39 irregular migrants from Mali during a coordinated operation in Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area. The arrest followed credible intelligence alerting authorities to the presence of foreign nationals who spoke only French and Arabic at the Orange Market.
Commissioner of Police Shettima Mohammed Jauro, who confirmed the development on Monday in Lafia, said the Divisional Police Officer of Mararaba “A” Division was immediately deployed to the scene. Preliminary findings revealed that a Malian identified as Abdullahi Berter, now on the run, allegedly trafficked the migrants under the false promise of job opportunities in France.
According to the police, the migrants 32 men and seven women, all Malians except one Ivorian were transported illegally and kept in a bungalow, where they were allegedly instructed to recruit more people for an undisclosed mission. A manhunt has been launched for Berter and other members of the trafficking network. The victims will be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.
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In a separate operation, police arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abubakar Adamu, in Kertyo village, Obi Local Government Area, following a tip-off. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 11 rounds of 7.62×39mm live ammunition during a search of his Ruga settlement in Adudu.
CP Shettima reaffirmed that the command remains committed to tackling crime across the state, adding that the arrested suspect will be charged in court upon completion of investigation.
