A 56-year-old Nigerian-Australian woman, Binta Abubakar, has been arrested and charged in Australia over a human trafficking and debt bondage scheme that allegedly involved the exploitation of 15 Papua New Guinea (PNG) nationals.
Abubakar was detained by Australian Federal Police (AFP) at Brisbane Airport on June 11, 2025, following her arrival on a flight from PNG. Her arrest came after a two-year investigation launched in July 2022, prompted by a tip-off from Queensland Police.
According to the AFP, between March 2021 and July 2023, Abubakar deceived victims by promising them full educational scholarships in Australia. Upon arrival, they were allegedly coerced into signing documents agreeing to repay hidden expenses — including tuition, airfare, and legal fees — creating a cycle of debt.
The victims were then reportedly forced to work on farms in Queensland, often in violation of visa conditions, while their wages were paid directly to the accused and used to “repay” the fabricated debts.
Abubakar now faces a total of 31 charges, including:
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4 counts of human trafficking
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14 counts of deceptive recruiting
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13 counts of debt bondage
She could face up to 12 years in prison for trafficking charges, 7 years for deceptive recruiting, and 4 years for each count of debt bondage.
Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer emphasized the AFP’s commitment to fighting human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals, saying victims are often lured to Australia with false promises, only to be exploited.
“The AFP is focused on victim welfare and ensuring those who commit these crimes are brought to justice,” he stated.
