The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 24 victims of human trafficking including a young woman deceived and trafficked by her own father, a retired senior law enforcement officer.
The victims, rescued at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, were aged between 15 and 26, and were recruited from Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers States.
They were reportedly being trafficked to countries including Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.
Many of the victims spoke only their local dialects, and some were unaware of their actual destination.One of the rescued girls recounted how her father misled her: “They told my mother that they are taking me to Europe, where I will work and earn dollars. My parents were happy and they allowed me to follow them. I thank DG and her officers for rescuing me. I just need my passport; I want to go back to my town and settle.l”.
In a statement, NAPTIP’s National Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, said the operation, led by NAPTIP Director General Binta Adamu Bello, lasted nearly six hours and resulted in the arrest of five suspected traffickers.
The DG condemned the actions of traffickers and unregistered labor recruiters, and expressed worry that airports have become comfort zones for such illicit activities. “This Operations demonstrates our firm resolve to protect Nigerians from all forms of exploitation,” DG Bello said.
She expressed gratitude to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, airport security personnel, immigration officers, and airline operators for their support.
The rescued victims are now receiving counseling and support at NAPTIP headquarters, while the arrested suspects are being interrogated and will face prosecution after the investigation.
