Police in Akwa Ibom State have rescued seven young people from a human trafficking network, holding four suspects in custody, according to DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, who announced the development in a statement released on March 14, 2026.
Officers acted on intelligence reports about a vehicle, carrying young persons suspected of being trafficking victims, along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road.
'During the operation, the suspected vehicle was intercepted and four victims were immediately rescued, while the suspect conveying them was arrested and taken into custody for interrogation,' the police statement said.
Further questioning of the arrested suspect led police to expand their search to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area.
There, officers rescued three more victims and arrested three additional suspects, bringing the total to seven victims saved and four suspects detained.
'Preliminary investigation revealed that the trafficking syndicate specializes in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation,' the statement confirmed.
It added, 'Intelligence gathered further disclosed that one of the ring leaders had earlier escaped through the waterways from Ibaka in Mbo to Cameroon and Gabon with some victims.'
The investigation remains ongoing.
'The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation,' the statement noted.
Comments (0)
Please sign in to join the conversation.
Loading comments...