The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) have successfully rescued 20 victims of human trafficking from a transborder criminal syndicate operating in Nigeria and other West African countries.
The operation, carried out in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Osun, and Nasarawa states, also led to the arrest of three key individuals believed to be members of the gang.
The statement by NAPTIP’s press officer, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed that the development was part of a deliberate effort to combat the activities of suspected trans-border criminal syndicates operating within Nigeria and other West African countries.
While victims were rescued from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Togo to Nigeria for various forms of labour exploitation, three key individuals believed to be members of the gang have been arrested in a well-coordinated operation, which was carried out in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Osun and Nasarawa states.
Adekoye said the feat was achieved following the directive of the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, adding that the agency increased surveillance within border communities across the country to halt the activities of suspected criminal syndicates believed to have infiltrated Nigeria from certain African countries.
He explained that the agency also strengthened collaboration with sister law enforcement agencies and partners to nip the unwholesome activities of the criminal gangs in the bud.
Accordibg to Adekoye, the victims said members of the syndicate deceived them with promises of high-paying jobs in Nigeria. At the same time, they processed documentation for onward journeys to different locations in Europe.
He also noted that they were, however, subjected to various forms of labour exploitation upon arrival in Nigeria.
In a related development, NAPTIP, in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal, has successfully rescued a middle-aged Nigerian victim of human trafficking from Dakar.According to Adekoye, the victim, whose name was withheld, arrived at the NAPTIP Lagos Command, Ikeja, a few hours ago after a close shave with death in the hands of mindless traffickers in one of the remote villages of Senegal.
She was deceived into travelling to Senegal with promises of a job as a hair stylist and make-up artist, only to discover that there was more, as her boss, whom she referred to as ‘Madam Rose’, was into the business of child/sex trafficking.
She was subsequently forced into prostitution. When she refused to comply, her so-called employer confiscated her identification documents and threw her out, leaving her unable to move freely or return home.
“She was left stranded somewhere in Kidira, Senegal. She reported that her trafficker is diabolical and has been tormenting her mentally and emotionally to the point where her sanity is at risk.
“She is extremely distressed, and we fear for her life,” her relative in a petition to the agency stated.
Adekoye said the agency immediately reached out to the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar and other relevant partners, and she was rescued and brought to Nigeria immediately.
The latest rescue brings the total number of victims rescued and received from neighbouring countries by NAPTIP in the past week to 21.
Speaking on the development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Bello, said the successful operations that led to the rescue of all the victims and arrest of the suspects were a reflection of the growing synergy between the agency, sister law enforcement and intelligence agencies in Nigeria.
She said, “The operation was strategic and targeted at the transnational organised criminal elements that are now making Nigeria an attractive human trafficking destination.
“This is just the beginning of our planned onslaught on them. These unpatriotic individuals move from one neighbouring country to the other, deceiving victims with promises of gainful employment in Nigeria.
”As soon as they bring the victims to Nigeria, they subject them to various forms of exploitation after collecting all their means of identification and preventing them from having access to any form of communication.
“These operations will be a continuous exercise, and we are also focusing on other parts of the country to rid the nation of all activities of these criminal syndicates.
“I want to sincerely thank the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, for his sustained support to NAPTIP in its activities, the operatives of both agencies; the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for providing the necessary platform for strengthening inter-agency collaboration in Nigeria; and all other stakeholders who assisted us in the operation.
“The case of the rescued victim from Senegal is very pathetic. She is a graduate of one of the famous universities in Nigeria and a mother of one.
”She was approached by a recruiter who showed up in her life suddenly like a timely helper. She was promised a hairstylist job in Senegal with an expected monthly salary that would make her rich within a short time.
“Sadly, when she got there, the reverse was the case. She is lucky to be alive to tell the story, even though extremely traumatised.
“We have commenced a manhunt for her trafficker and also reached out to sister law enforcement agencies in Senegal to apprehend the so-called ‘Madam Rose’. They will be arrested and face the full wrath of the law.
“I wish to place on record the support and cooperation from the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar under the leadership of the Ambassador and the entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
”The Embassy assisted greatly in accommodating and feeding her, even with the procurement of the emergency travel certificate, because her passport had been seized by the trafficker.
“Also, NAPTIP appreciates the support from the personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service at the border who helped us to receive her on arrival.
”These are clear demonstrations of inter-agency cooperation,” the Director General stated.
