Nigeria Immigration Service Intercepts Trafficker, Rescues Six Victims at Seme Border

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted a suspected human trafficker and rescued six young women during an operation along the Seme–Badagry border axis in Lagos State.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, by the NIS Lagos State Border Patrol Command in collaboration with other security agencies, led to the arrest of a 24-year-old woman, Miss Victor Jennifer from Benue State. She was apprehended while allegedly attempting to traffic six Nigerian women, aged between 20 and 23, none of whom possessed valid travel documents.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Service confirmed that the suspect and victims were initially taken to the NIS Zonal Office in Ikeja for preliminary investigation before being transferred to the Service Headquarters in Abuja on February 6 for further action.

The NIS stated that the suspect will be prosecuted in accordance with existing laws, with sanctions intended to serve as a deterrence. The operation forms part of the Service’s sustained efforts to combat irregular migration and transnational organized crime along Nigeria’s border corridors, particularly the active Seme route.

The Assistant Comptroller-General of Immigration and Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, ACG Mohammed Adamu, reaffirmed the agency’s position. “The Nigeria Immigration Service maintains zero tolerance for irregular migration, human trafficking, and all forms of transnational organised crimes,” he said, emphasizing the commitment to protecting borders and vulnerable persons from exploitation.

ACG Adamu assured the public of continued vigilance and sustained operations to prevent criminal networks from exploiting border weaknesses. The Service credited the successful interception to effective collaboration with sister security agencies, highlighting the importance of interagency cooperation.

This operation aligns with the ongoing reforms under the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, which focus on enhanced border management, intelligence-led operations, and interagency collaboration to strengthen national security.