Suspects involved in cyber fraud, human trafficking, and sextortion have been apprehended in a joint operation by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) with Nigerian Security agencies. Following over five operational days, 36 suspects were arrested, and the authorities dismantled key elements of organised crime network operations within the country. The operation also led to the recovery of $3 million in illicit funds, along with the seizure of drugs, weapons, and other incriminating evidence. This coordinated effort represents a major step in combating criminal syndicates’ growing influence in Nigeria and the West African region.
The operation, which was reportedly planned over two months, involved 12 Nigerian Law Enforcement Agencies working with INTERPOL and AFRIPOL. Authorities conducted targeted raids, increased border checks, and followed actionable intelligence to dismantle criminal networks. Among the arrested suspects, three were linked to sextortion schemes, while the majority were involved in cyber-enabled fraud. Notably, many of the suspects were under the age of 35, highlighting a troubling trend of youth involvement in organised crime. The operation also uncovered disturbing cases of human trafficking, with 12 victims rescued from exploitation.
Cyber fraud, sextortion, and human trafficking were exposed.
Meanwhile, major criminals’ advanced tactics used to defraud and exploit victims within the country and abroad were exposed during the operation. One prevalent method was romance baiting, where criminals cultivated online relationships to manipulate victims into transferring money or investing in fraudulent schemes. Other tactics included Investment and Cryptocurrency scams, where perpetrators lured victims into fictitious financial ventures, and celebrity scams, involving the impersonation of well-known figures to solicit money from unsuspecting fans. Additionally, the arrest of three individuals for sextortion revealed how suspects extorted money from victims by threatening to release compromising or explicit material.
Beyond cybercrime, the operation also exposed human trafficking strategies in the country. The Security Agencies identified 12 victims who had been lured abroad with promises of employment, only to be forced into sexual exploitation or forced labour. Among the arrests was a female recruiter who had posed as a victim to evade detection. Her $16,000 account was seized, further underscoring the financial motivations driving these crimes. The operation also led to the recovery of significant quantities of drugs, including 19kg of cocaine valued at $2.8 million and 51kg of cannabis, alongside weapons and ammunition.
Role of INTERPOL in combating organised crime in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s strategic location, sharing 4,000 kilometres of borderland with four West African countries and a long coastline along the Gulf of Guinea, makes it a hotspot for many criminals, including cybercrime, terrorists and smugglers. Those groups exploit these borders for Smuggling operations, human trafficking, and the movement of illicit goods. In this context, the role of INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in the region is indispensable. The NCB is the coordination hub for international police inquiries linked to Nigeria, which is pivotal in preventing the country and the surrounding region from becoming a haven for organised crime.
By leveraging globally sourced intelligence, the agency equips local law enforcement agencies with the tools to detect and investigate the flow of illicit goods and activities. This collaboration has proven vital in disrupting criminal networks and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice. Additionally, the success of the operation underscores the importance of a multi-agency. Nigeria’s national police force, in partnership with the NCB, works closely with other leading agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
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As a result, this collaboration has ensured a comprehensive response to the major challenges organised crime poses. The operation also notes the need for sustained international cooperation. As organised terrorist groups continue to expand their operations across borders, the role of the agency and other global law enforcement agencies becomes increasingly critical. By promoting collaboration at both national and international levels, authorities can effectively combat the global threat posed by these criminal networks and bring justice to the victims of their crimes.