The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismantled an alleged transnational criminal network linked to the QNET/IGNITE group, arresting 12 foreign nationals and rescuing two suspected victims during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in Lagos State.

The operation, which forms part of the Service’s intensified crackdown on irregular migration, human trafficking and transnational organised crime, targeted the activities of the syndicate believed to be operating across Lagos and Ogun states.

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by Akinsola Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), at the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja.

According to the statement, the successful operation followed credible intelligence gathered on the activities of trafficking syndicates exploiting foreign nationals under the guise of business and migration opportunities.

The Service said sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations culminated in the arrest of one Ouattra Adama, a male Burkinabé national identified as the alleged leader of the QNET/IGNITE syndicate.

Also arrested were 11 suspected facilitators comprising eight Liberian nationals and three Cameroonian nationals in different parts of Lagos State.

Immigration authorities further disclosed that two Liberian nationals believed to be victims of the syndicate’s operations were rescued during the exercise.

The NIS said all 12 suspects, alongside the two rescued victims, have been transferred to the Service Headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are ongoing and appropriate legal procedures will be initiated.

Although the Service did not disclose the specific methods employed by the syndicate, it said the arrests were the outcome of sustained intelligence gathering aimed at dismantling organised criminal networks exploiting migrants and vulnerable persons.

The Immigration Service reiterated that combating irregular migration, human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime remains one of its top operational priorities.

It warned members of the public to exercise caution when responding to employment, educational, business or migration opportunities, particularly those originating from unfamiliar individuals or organisations.

The Service advised Nigerians and foreign nationals to verify the authenticity of all migration-related offers through appropriate government agencies and official channels before making financial commitments or travelling abroad.

According to the NIS, many victims of trafficking and migration-related fraud are lured with false promises of lucrative jobs, educational opportunities and investment schemes before being exploited by criminal networks.

The Service said the latest operation reflects its growing emphasis on intelligence-driven border management and internal enforcement operations aimed at disrupting organised criminal activities within Nigeria.

It added that the dismantling of the alleged QNET/IGNITE syndicate demonstrates its resolve to eliminate networks involved in irregular migration, trafficking in persons and other transnational crimes.

The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies in protecting Nigeria’s borders and ensuring that the country does not serve as a safe haven for international criminal syndicates.

It also pledged to sustain intelligence-led operations nationwide as part of efforts to support the Federal Government’s security and migration management objectives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.