A 56-year-old woman with dual Nigerian and Australian citizenship, Binta Abubakar, has been arrested and formally charged in Australia over serious allegations of human trafficking and debt bondage involving 15 individuals from Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Abubakar was apprehended by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, at Brisbane Airport after she arrived on a flight from PNG. Her arrest marks a major breakthrough in a two-year investigation spearheaded by the AFP’s Northern Command Human Trafficking Team, which began probing her activities in July 2022 following a tip-off from Queensland Police.
According to official reports, Abubakar allegedly deceived her victims between March 2021 and July 2023 by offering them fraudulent promises of fully funded educational scholarships in Australia. Upon their arrival in the country, the victims were reportedly pressured into signing agreements obligating them to repay various hidden costs—including tuition fees, airfare, visa processing charges, and legal expenses.
Authorities claim the victims were then compelled to work on farms across Queensland, often in breach of their visa terms. Instead of receiving their wages, the victims’ earnings were allegedly redirected to Abubakar, who withheld the funds as repayment for the so-called debts.
She now faces multiple serious charges: four counts of trafficking in persons, 14 counts of deceptive recruitment for labor or services, and 13 counts of causing individuals to enter into debt bondage. The potential penalties are severe—up to 12 years of imprisonment for each trafficking count, up to seven years for each count of deceptive recruiting, and four years per count of debt bondage.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer emphasized the agency’s dedication to safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
“Victims of debt bondage and other human trafficking offences are often enticed with the promise of free education or lucrative job opportunities,” Telfer stated. “The AFP remains committed to protecting these individuals and prioritizing their welfare above all.”
