By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismantled a transnational organised criminal syndicate linked to the QNET/IGNITE network, arresting 12 suspects, including its alleged leader, and rescuing two victims during intelligence-led operations in Lagos State.
The Service said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration, human trafficking and other transnational organised crimes across the country.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) Akinsola Akinlabi, the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of trafficking syndicates operating in Lagos and Ogun states.
The operation led to the arrest of the alleged syndicate leader, identified as Ouattra Adama, a Burkinabé national, alongside 11 suspected facilitators comprising eight Liberians and three Cameroonians.
The NIS also rescued two Liberian nationals believed to be victims of the syndicate’s activities.
The statement said all 12 suspects and the two victims had been transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
The Service urged members of the public to verify employment, educational, business and migration opportunities through legitimate channels before making financial commitments or travelling abroad.
It noted that the latest operation underscores the NIS’ commitment to intelligence-driven border management and sustained efforts to dismantle transnational criminal networks in line with the Federal Government’s campaign against irregular migration and organised crime.
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