NAPTIP Storms Abuja Mansion, Arrests Suspected Human Traffickers Linked To Côte D’Ivoire Sex Ring

In a dramatic raid on a luxury mansion in Abuja’s Lugbe area, operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have arrested two high-profile suspects linked to a notorious human trafficking syndicate operating across West Africa.

The suspects, Emmanuel Uzor Igwe, 32, and Ugochukwu Christian, 30, were arrested following a tip-off sparked by viral videos shared by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). Otse, who visited Côte D’Ivoire to uncover the plight of trafficked Nigerian minors, exposed the alarming scale of a trafficking ring funneling children—some under 12—from northern Nigeria to the French-speaking country via Niger Republic for sexual exploitation.

The viral revelations prompted swift action from NAPTIP, culminating in Thursday’s operation at the suspects’ fortified residence, which also served as the syndicate’s base. During the hours-long raid, two female victims were rescued during a shocking scene of sexual exploitation.

According to NAPTIP Press Officer Vincent Adekoye, one of the victims revealed she had been promised a lucrative job in a Côte D’Ivoire shopping mall, only to find herself trapped in a trafficking web. She disclosed being taken to a remote shrine outside Abuja to swear an oath of secrecy, binding her to the traffickers.

The suspects, now in custody, were identified by victims featured in Otse’s footage and reportedly threatened retaliation if the girls failed to pay back a sum of 2.2 million CFA francs through forced prostitution.

NAPTIP Director General Binta Adamu Bello condemned the heinous operation, vowing relentless pursuit of all human trafficking networks. “This arrest is just the beginning,” she declared. “We are working with partners across borders to dismantle every link of this wicked chain and bring every perpetrator to justice.”

Otse’s efforts were lauded by the agency, with Bello praising his commitment to fighting human trafficking and aiding victim recovery. Investigations are ongoing, and NAPTIP says more arrests are likely.

“The game is over for traffickers,” Bello affirmed. “NAPTIP is ready to choke their operations and ensure Nigeria becomes a hostile ground for all who prey on our citizens.”