The Police Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) has arrested three suspected international human traffickers and rescued a 21-year-old Nigerian woman allegedly trafficked to Mali, where she was forced into prostitution under harsh and inhumane conditions.

The police also disclosed that about 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp in a remote gold-mining settlement in Mali, where they were allegedly subjected to forced prostitution, severe beatings and slave-like conditions.

Godfrey Victor, Commander of the FID Special Tactical Squad, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja.

He said the operation, which was conducted between October 1 and 27, 2026, followed actionable digital intelligence and directives from Olatunji  Disu, Inspector-General of Police, to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, particularly vulnerable persons.

Victor identified the three suspects arrested in connection with the international human trafficking operation as Daniel Aondofa, 26; Orgba Solomon, also known as Terry, 28, who was identified as the gang leader residing in the Republic of Benin; and Thankgod Ocho, 25. All three suspects are indigenes of Benue State.

According to the police commander, investigations revealed that the victim, identified as Miss Godiya Amos, not her real name, was allegedly lured into the trafficking network by Solomon with promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad.

Amos, a 21-year-old woman from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, was reportedly transported from Nigeria through Lagos and illegal border routes into the Republic of Benin on September 26, 2026, before being moved to artisanal gold-mining camps in Mali, where female victims were allegedly forced into prostitution.

Victor said Solomon confiscated the victim’s mobile phone and travel documents before her departure from Nigeria, cutting off communication with her family and making it difficult for them to establish her whereabouts.

She was subsequently handed over to other members of the trafficking network and allegedly sold for CFA 420,000, equivalent to approximately N770,000.

The police said her refusal to engage in prostitution attracted severe beatings, while she was allegedly forced to take a blood oath at a shrine before being compelled into sexual exploitation.

The breakthrough, Victor explained, followed a report by the victim’s sister, which prompted operatives of the FID-STS to commence an intelligence-led investigation into the trafficking network.

He disclosed that on October 18, 2026, Solomon returned to Nigeria to recruit more women for trafficking to Senegal and Mali.

During the operation, police operatives rescued three other female victims, identified as Martha Godiya, Amina Usman and Hadisa Yahaya, and reunited them with their families.

Further digital intelligence subsequently led to the arrest of Solomon and two other suspected members of the trafficking network, Aondofa and Ocho.

The suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the criminal enterprise and provided information that helped the police facilitate the rescue of Amos from Mali.

According to Victor, the rescued victim provided further details about the activities of the trafficking network, disclosing that approximately 42 Nigerian women were being held in a makeshift camp within a remote gold-mining settlement.

The women were allegedly subjected to forced prostitution, severe beatings and slave-like conditions, with their movements restricted and escape from the camp made extremely difficult.

The police commander said investigations were ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the trafficking network and secure the rescue of additional victims.

In a separate operation, the FID-STS arrested two suspected members of a criminal syndicate in Taraba State over alleged involvement in armed robbery, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.

Victor identified the suspects as Aminu Shafiu, 35, and Mohammed Yahaya, 33, both from Yola, Adamawa State. They were arrested on October 16, 2026, at about noon.

He said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to alleged armed robbery, vehicle theft and the receipt of stolen property.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement and provided information about other members of the syndicate and their criminal operations.

The police commander said operatives recovered five vehicles suspected to be connected to the criminal activities.

The recovered vehicles include a blue Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC 81 AA; an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla without a registration number; a maroon Toyota Pontiac Vibe with registration number YABC 325 AM; a gold Toyota Sienna with registration number YMT 728 SU; and a white Toyota Pontiac with registration number ABJ 226 EX.

He said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate, establish the rightful ownership of the recovered vehicles and recover additional exhibits.

In another operation, the police arrested three suspected gun runners and individuals allegedly involved in supplying logistics to bandits terrorising residents of the Funtua Zone of Katsina State.

Victor said the suspects were arrested on October 1, 2026, and identified them as Musa Lawal, 30, and Bello Abubakar, 25, both from Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, as well as Abubakar Mohammed, 24, from Damaturu, Yobe State.

According to him, the suspects confessed to the alleged crimes during interrogation, leading to the recovery of one fabricated pistol, three fabricated AK-47 rifles and eight rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition.

He said investigations were ongoing, while operatives were intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.

Victor said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had reaffirmed the commitment of the FID-STS to sustaining aggressive operations against all forms of criminality across the country.

He urged members of the public to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the nearest police station.

He assured Nigerians that the coordinated operations would be sustained across all states of the federation.