Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Mohammed Jauro, revealed this on Monday in Lafia, explaining that the operation followed credible intelligence about the presence of foreign nationals who spoke only French and Arabic at the Orange Market in Mararaba.
According to the CP, the Divisional Police Officer of Mararaba “A” Division was immediately deployed to the scene. Preliminary investigations indicated that a Malian national, Abdullahi Berter, allegedly deceived the migrants with promises of job opportunities in France.
The migrants were said to have been transported illegally from Mali and kept in a bungalow at the Orange Market, where they were reportedly instructed to recruit additional persons for an undisclosed assignment.
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In total, 32 men and 7 women—all Malians except one individual from Ivory Coast—were arrested. The prime suspect, Berter, is currently on the run, and a manhunt has been launched to locate him and other members of the syndicate.
CP Shettima stated that the migrants will be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate action.
CP Shettima assured GLOBALGISTZNG that the suspect will be charged to court once investigations are concluded, stressing that criminal activities will not be tolerated in the state.