In a deeply troubling case that has drawn national attention, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested Binta Abubakar, a 56-year-old dual citizen of Nigeria and Australia, over allegations of human trafficking, debt bondage, and forced labour. The AFP accused her of luring students from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to Australia under the pretense of educational scholarships, only to exploit them as unpaid farmworkers across Queensland.

Arrest Made at Brisbane Airport After Return from PNG

Law enforcement officers detained Abubakar on Wednesday at Brisbane Airport upon her arrival from Papua New Guinea, where she had reportedly been living and operating for some time. Her arrest followed a lengthy investigation launched in July 2022, after Queensland Police provided intelligence to the AFP’s Northern Command Human Trafficking Team.

In a statement released Thursday, the AFP detailed how Abubakar allegedly deceived at least 15 students from PNG between March 2021 and July 2023, promising them full scholarships to study in Australia. However, upon arriving in the country, the students were instead allegedly coerced into performing unpaid labour on farms under extremely exploitative conditions.

Coerced into Slavery: The Harsh Reality for Victims

Authorities claim that once the students arrived in Australia, Abubakar forced them to sign legal agreements requiring them to “repay” extensive costs for their travel, accommodation, tuition, visa applications, legal support, and insurance—costs that were never disclosed prior to their travel. These unanticipated financial burdens allegedly placed the students in severe debt bondage, with little recourse for escape.

The AFP said the victims were made to work on multiple farms across Queensland, often in violation of their visa conditions. Instead of receiving wages directly, the suspect is believed to have collected the payments from the farm owners herself and withheld the funds from the victims, citing repayment of debts. The working conditions reportedly amounted to modern slavery, where students had no autonomy, no income, and no legal or emotional support in a foreign country.

Court Appearance and Charges: Over 30 Criminal Offences Filed

On the day of her arrest, Abubakar appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court and was formally charged with 31 offences under Australia’s criminal code. She was granted conditional bail and is expected to return to court on September 19, 2025.

According to the AFP’s breakdown, Abubakar faces the following charges:

• 4 counts of trafficking in persons, under Section 271.2(1) of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years per count.

• 14 counts of deceptive recruiting for labour or services, under Section 270.7, each punishable by up to 7 years’ imprisonment.

• 13 counts of engaging in conduct that caused a person to enter into debt bondage, under Section 270.7C, each with a maximum penalty of 4 years in prison.

The totality of charges reflects the systemic and calculated nature of the exploitation involved, as well as the broad scope of harm inflicted on vulnerable individuals who were misled and manipulated into slavery-like conditions.

Investigation Timeline: From Promise to Peril

The criminal investigation began after Queensland law enforcement raised red flags about a group of PNG nationals who had arrived in Australia supposedly to study but were found working in isolated farm locations under suspicious circumstances.

The AFP’s inquiry eventually uncovered a disturbing pattern of deception. Between 2021 and 2023, Abubakar allegedly orchestrated a scheme whereby she recruited young individuals from PNG by presenting herself as an agent or benefactor offering full educational scholarships. Once the students arrived, they were immediately presented with unexpected legal agreements and made to feel obligated to repay fictitious debts, which served as the mechanism for her control.

According to AFP officials, the psychological pressure and the threat of deportation or imprisonment likely kept the victims compliant, despite the degrading and illegal conditions they endured.

Law Enforcement Speaks Out: Commitment to Combat Human Trafficking

Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer of the AFP spoke candidly about the case and the broader implications for human trafficking in Australia.

“Victims of debt bondage and other human trafficking offences can be lured to Australia with a promise of a dream career or free education, things they may not have access to in their country of origin,” said Telfer. “If the conditions of that promise change, it can leave victims in an extremely vulnerable situation in a foreign country, where they are likely to have little financial or emotional support, and face issues with language barriers.”

Telfer reiterated that the AFP remains focused on protecting vulnerable foreign workers and ensuring that those who seek to exploit them are brought to justice.

“The AFP can help people who are exploited and is focused on ensuring the welfare of victims,” he added.

A Wake-Up Call for Foreign Labour Oversight and Visa Programs

This case has also raised concerns about Australia’s immigration and visa monitoring systems, particularly concerning education-linked migration and labour rights enforcement. Advocacy groups are now urging the government to review scholarship visa regulations, increase monitoring of foreign recruiters, and establish better support networks for international students and migrant workers.

Many experts warn that Abubakar’s scheme may not be isolated, pointing to a larger problem of unscrupulous operators exploiting gaps in regulation to take advantage of vulnerable populations seeking better opportunities abroad.

Community Reaction and Human Rights Implications

Community leaders from both Papua New Guinea and Nigeria have expressed shock and outrage over the incident. Many have called for cross-border cooperation to prevent future trafficking cases and ensure justice for the victims.

Human rights organizations have also praised the AFP’s swift action but emphasized the need for more robust protections for migrant workers and international students—especially those arriving from developing nations.

“There needs to be better education in source countries about the risks of fake scholarships and exploitative migration,” one advocacy group commented. “But more importantly, host countries must strengthen their protective frameworks and hold traffickers accountable.”

Conclusion: Justice in Progress, but More Work Ahead

While the arrest of Binta Abubakar marks a significant development in the fight against human trafficking in Australia, the broader issues of deceptive recruitment, labour exploitation, and debt bondage remain deeply entrenched in global migration systems.

As Abubakar awaits her next court appearance in September, the affected victims are now receiving support and legal assistance. Authorities continue to investigate whether other individuals were involved in the scheme or if more victims remain unidentified.

This case serves as a powerful reminder of the hidden forms of modern slavery that can exist even under the guise of educational opportunity—and the importance of ongoing vigilance by both governments and communities to prevent such abuses.