The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismantled a suspected transnational organised crime syndicate allegedly operating under the guise of the QNET/IGNITE network, arresting 12 suspects and rescuing two victims during a major intelligence-led operation in Lagos State.
The operation targeted an alleged fraudulent recruitment and network marketing scheme linked to irregular migration and human trafficking, culminating in the arrest of the suspected kingpin, identified as Burkinabe national Ouattra Adama, alongside 11 other suspected facilitators.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration Service (DCI) Akinsola Akinlabi, the suspects comprise eight Liberian nationals, three Cameroonian nationals and the alleged Burkinabe mastermind.
The NIS said the operation followed credible intelligence on trafficking networks accused of luring vulnerable individuals with deceptive employment and business opportunities before exploiting them through irregular migration channels.
The Service disclosed that two Liberian nationals believed to be victims of the syndicate were rescued during the raid and are currently receiving appropriate care and protection.
“Accordingly, the twelve (12) suspects and the two (2) victims have been transferred to the Service Headquarters for further investigation and necessary legal action,” Akinlabi stated.
The Immigration Service described the QNET/IGNITE network as a transnational organised criminal group allegedly using fraudulent employment and business schemes as a cover to facilitate irregular migration and exploit unsuspecting victims.
Warning the public against such criminal networks, the NIS urged Nigerians and foreign residents to thoroughly verify employment offers, business opportunities and migration arrangements through authorised channels before making financial commitments or travelling abroad.
The Service described the arrests as another significant success in its intelligence-driven border security operations, reaffirming its commitment to tackling human trafficking, irregular migration and other forms of transnational organised crime.
“The arrest of the syndicate leader and other facilitators demonstrates the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to intelligence-driven border management,” the statement said.
The agency added that the operation aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to strengthen national security, dismantle organised criminal networks and protect citizens and foreign nationals from exploitation.
The NIS said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate, unravel the full extent of its operations and trace additional victims who may have been targeted across the country.
