By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, has dismantled a major kidnapping, job-scam and “Japa” syndicate operating in Cross River State, rescuing over 100 victims and rejecting an alleged ₦50 million bribe offered to derail the investigation.
In a statement issued on 14 February 2026, the Zonal Public Relations Officer, DSP Jefferson Osupe Anisma, said the operation was carried out by the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) following credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal network.
According to the police, the syndicate specialised in manipulating unsuspecting Nigerians, particularly young people seeking opportunities abroad. The group allegedly deployed psychological coercion and deception, persuading victims to sell personal properties and surrender their life savings under the guise of securing visas, foreign citizenship and lucrative employment overseas.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, AIG Auwal Musa Mohammad, upon receiving the intelligence, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of ZCID, DCP Udu Moses Ogechi, to take decisive action.
Acting on the directive, ZCID operatives launched a coordinated operation in the early hours of 14 February 2026, at about 6:00am, dismantling what the police described as an organised criminal enterprise.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate exploited the prevailing “Japa” trend by targeting youths eager to relocate abroad. Victims were allegedly persuaded to resign from their jobs, dispose of valuable assets and transfer substantial sums of money to the suspects.
Rather than facilitating travel, the syndicate reportedly lured victims to designated locations within Cross River State, where they were psychologically manipulated and financially incapacitated. The police said the victims were subsequently coerced into recruiting additional targets, thereby sustaining the operation.
To maintain the deception, the syndicate allegedly accommodated victims in well-furnished apartments within the state, staged photographs in appealing environments and instructed them to share the images on social media with relatives to falsely suggest successful relocation abroad. Some victims were forcefully integrated into the network and assigned operational roles to perpetuate the scheme.
During the operation, DCP Ogechi and his team apprehended key suspects linked to the network and rescued over 100 victims from various locations. The victims have been handed over to the Cross River State Government for care, profiling and reintegration support.
In the course of the investigation, the syndicate allegedly attempted to compromise the process with a bribe of ₦50 million. The offer was firmly rejected, the police said, describing the action as a demonstration of professionalism and integrity.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police commended DCP Ogechi and his team for what he termed a remarkable operational breakthrough, praising their resilience and tactical efficiency.
He reaffirmed the Zone’s commitment to ridding the region of criminal syndicates targeting vulnerable citizens and disclosed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
The police advised members of the public to exercise caution over overseas job offers and to verify travel and employment arrangements through recognised and lawful channels.
