In an intercontinental operation against Nigerian criminal networks in Europe, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, Europol, has arrested 15 Nigerians.
This operation, which took place in December last year, was influenced by criminal activities including fraud, money laundering, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and other crimes perpetuated by Nigerian criminal syndicates in countries across Europe.
According to Europol, many of these crimes are generally orchestrated from Nigeria, and well-organised criminal syndicates that operate in an almost militia-style hierarchy have been established across the world.
“These criminal activities, while generally orchestrated from Nigeria, could pose a risk to the safety of citizens across the EU. Criminal leaders live luxurious and lavish lifestyles, directing their couriers and lower-level organisation members from a distance,” the report released by Europol read.
Nigeria, Malta, Belgium, Spain and nine other countries participated in this operation, which was the first of its kind. In the course of the operation, 15 people were arrested and 18 victims of possible human trafficking were detected.
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