NIS busts transnational crime syndicate, arrests 12

Abuja: The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismantled a transnational organised crime syndicate linked to the QNET/IGNITE network, arresting 12 suspects, including its alleged leader, and rescuing two victims in coordinated operations in Lagos State.

The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akinlabi said the operation was carried out following actionable intelligence on the activities of trafficking syndicates operating within the state.

He identified the alleged syndicate leader as Ouattra Adama, a Burkinabe national, who was arrested alongside 11 suspected facilitators.

According to him, the facilitators comprise eight Liberian nationals and three Cameroonian nationals.

He added that the operation also led to the rescue of two Liberian nationals believed to have fallen victim to the syndicate’s illegal activities.

“Accordingly, the twelve suspects and the two victims have been transferred to the Service Headquarters for further investigation and necessary legal action,” Akinlabi said.

The NIS spokesman described the QNET/IGNITE network as a transnational organised criminal syndicate involved in fraudulent employment and business schemes that were closely linked to irregular migration.

He urged members of the public to verify all offers relating to employment, education, business and migration through the appropriate authorities before making financial commitments or embarking on international travel.

According to Akinlabi, the arrest of the syndicate leader and other facilitators demonstrates the Service’s commitment to intelligence-driven border management and the fight against transnational organised crime.

He said the operation also underscored the resolve of the NIS to rid the country of all forms of irregular migration and transnational organised crimes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Akinlabi said investigations were ongoing to identify other members of the criminal network and possible victims across the country.

He reiterated the commitment of the NIS to strengthening border security, combating human trafficking and dismantling criminal networks that exploit vulnerable persons through deceptive migration, employment and business schemes.