The Nigeria Immigration Service has dismantled an alleged transnational organised criminal syndicate linked to the QNET/IGNITE network, arresting a Burkinabé national identified as the suspected leader alongside 11 other foreign nationals in Lagos.
The Service said the operation, which was carried out following actionable intelligence, also led to the rescue of two Liberian nationals believed to be victims of the syndicate’s activities.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, the suspected kingpin, identified as Ouattra Adama, a Burkinabé national, was arrested with 11 suspected facilitators during coordinated operations across Lagos State.
The statement said the other suspects comprised eight Liberians and three Cameroonians.
The NIS said, “As part of the ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration and transnational organised crimes in the country, the Nigeria Immigration Service has dismantled a fraudulent network marketing ring linked to the QNET/IGNITE group, a transnational organised criminal syndicate active in Lagos and Ogun States.”
It added that the operational breakthrough followed credible intelligence on the activities of trafficking syndicates operating across Lagos and Ogun states.
“Consequently, the Service intensified its operations, leading to the arrest of one Ouattra Adama, a Burkinabé national and alleged leader of the QNET/IGNITE syndicate, alongside eleven other suspected facilitators, comprising eight Liberians and three Cameroonians in various parts of Lagos. The operation also led to the rescue of two Liberians who are victims of their illegal activities,” the statement read.
The immigration agency disclosed that the 12 suspects and the two rescued victims had been transferred to the Service Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The Service urged members of the public to exercise caution by verifying employment, education, business and other migration offers through appropriate channels before making financial commitments or embarking on international travel.
“The arrest of the syndicate leader and other facilitators demonstrates the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to intelligence-driven border management. It also underscores the Service’s resolve to rid the country of all forms of irregular migration and transnational organised crimes, in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration,” the statement added.