The Akwa Ibom State Police Command dismantled a human trafficking syndicate, rescuing seven victims and apprehending four suspects.

DSP Timfon John, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed this in a statement issued on March 14, 2026.

According to the PPRO, the operation took place on March 13, 2026, in response to intelligence reports that a vehicle transporting young people suspected of being trafficked was traveling along the Ikot Ekpene-Aba Road.

Police operatives mounted a stop-and-search operation along the route and intercepted the vehicle, rescued four victims and arresting the suspect who was conveying them.

Further investigation led officers to locations in Itam and Ibaka in Mbaba Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects arrested. 

Preliminary findings by the police indicate that the syndicate allegedly specialised in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation.

“Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command  have successfully dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, leading to the rescue of seven victims and the arrest of four suspects involved in the criminal network,” the statement read.

“Acting on credible intelligence on 13th March, 2026 at about 0800 hours, police operatives swiftly mobilized a patrol team to conduct a coordinated stop-and-search operation along Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road following reports that a vehicle conveying young persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

“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.

“Further investigation and interrogation of the suspect led to the expansion of the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects apprehended, bringing the total number of rescued victims to seven and suspects arrested to four.