Police arrest 6 Liberians for alleged abduction, human trafficking

Lagos State Police have arrested six Liberians, including one woman and five men aged 21 to 40, for their alleged involvement in human trafficking, abduction, and an international visa scam. The group is accused of luring fellow Liberians to Nigeria with false promises of relocation to Canada and the United Kingdom.

According to reports, the syndicate specialized in defrauding victims of millions of naira by promising to secure visas and work permits for Canada and other countries. Upon arrival in Nigeria, victims' passports were allegedly seized, and they were housed in hotels before being moved to a rented apartment in Ikorodu. There, they were reportedly pressured to recruit more individuals into the scheme to regain their freedom.

One victim, who realized she had been deceived, managed to report the case through a friend. Her passport had been confiscated, and she was forced into the recruitment scheme. She contacted a man she met during her flight to Nigeria, shared her location, and alerted the police, which led to her rescue and the suspects' arrest.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation. Police are actively working to apprehend other members of the syndicate, and the six arrested suspects are expected to face charges in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.