Nigerian-Australian Woman Detained in Australia for Trafficking 15 Students

Binta Abubakar, a 56-year-old Nigerian-Australian woman, has been apprehended by the Australian Federal Police on suspicion of trafficking 15 students from Papua New Guinea under the guise of scholarship opportunities.

The accused allegedly exploited the students through her company, BIN Educational Services, by compelling them to work on farms without pay and employing threats to exert control over them. The extensive investigation that led to her arrest spanned two years, uncovering a series of offenses including human trafficking and debt bondage.

Abubakar is now facing a significant legal battle with 31 charges levied against her. Following her arrest at Brisbane Airport, she was granted bail with a scheduled court appearance on September 19 to address these serious allegations. This case underscores the persistent issue of educational scams and labor exploitation that international students often fall prey to, highlighting the need for stronger regulations and oversight in the international student sector.