The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Tuesday that it has dismantled a fraudulent network of organised criminals linked to the marketing of the QNET/IGNITE group.

According to the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the development was part of ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration and transnational organised crime in the country.

Akinlabi, a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, said the transnational organised criminal syndicate has been active in Lagos and Ogun States.

He said, “The operational breakthrough was based on actionable intelligence on the activities of trafficking syndicates 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 8 Liberians and 3 Cameroonians, in various parts of Lagos.

“The operation also led to the rescue of two Liberians who are victims of their illegal activities.”

Akinlabi said the twelve suspects and the two victims have been transferred to the Service Headquarters for further investigation and necessary legal action.

The Service Public Relations Officer advised members of the public to verify all employment, educational, 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 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 crime, in tandem with the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration,” Akinlabi said. (The Nation)

•Arrested suspected members of the transnational organised crime syndicate linked to the QNET/IGNITE network. Photo: Nigeria Immigration Service