Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have arrested five suspected human trafficking agents, resulting in the rescue of 24 victims.
Sadly, one of the suspected traffickers is a retired senior law enforcement officer and a father to one of the victims,who deceived his daughter and packaged her to be trafficked to Iraq for exploitation.
The victims ,whose ages range between 15 to 26 years, were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo and Rivers states, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.
Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP information officer, in a statement, indicated that the operation led by the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday.
He noted that the retired senior law enforcement officer is also alleged to be a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate operating within the South West region of Nigeria.
He said successful operation was a result of the dedication and commitment of NAPTIP operatives to the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.
He recalled that following reported increased cases of recruitment and trafficking of Nigerians for various forms of exploitation both within and outside the Country, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, a few months ago, ordered a step up surveillance and monitoring of all parts of the country with greater attention on motor parks, water ways in the coaster states as well as International airports.
“The latest raid followed a tip-off from concerned stakeholders and partners who alerted NAPTIP about an influx of suspected human trafficking victims at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, and the unwholesome activities of some suspected traffickers.
“At the end of nearly six hours of operation, the human trafficking activities were completely disrupted, leading to the arrest of five suspected traffickers and the rescue of 24 suspected victims. While a good number of the victims could not communicate in any other language apart from their dialect, others do not even know the location of their intended country of destination.”
During interrogations, one of the victims said, “they told my mother that they were taking me to Europe, where I would work and earn Dollars. My parent were happy and they allowed me to follow them.” Another one vowed to ensure the prosecution of her father for deceiving her into embarking on the journey.
“My father told me that his friend has a job for me at a supermarket in Baghdad. He did not tell me that it was in Iraq. I know that Iraq is not a good place to work due to the crisis there, but I did not know that Baghdad is in Iraq. I thank NAPTIP officers for rescuing me. I just need my passport. I want to go back to my town and settle. I will certainly make it here rather than suffer in another country”, the victim, whose father was among the traffickers arrested.
Speaking on the development, DG, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed sadness over the activities of some suspected human traffickers and unregistered labour recruiters who have continued to deceive, recruit, and traffic Nigerians for various forms of exploitation.
She said:”I am impressed with the outcome of the operation because we were able to arrest five suspected members of the trafficking gang that have been recruiting and trafficking our citizens to various tension-soaked countries, especially in the Middle East, for exploitation.
“We observed that the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport is becoming a comfort zone for these traffickers, and that is why we have decided to shift attention to this airport. We will sustain this raid until they stop this unpatriotic and illicit trade in human beings.
“I was amazed that a father, who is a retired law enforcement officer of senior cadre, deceived his daughter and packaged her to be trafficked to Iraq for exploitation. This is incredibly unbelievable. Well, all of them will be thoroughly investigated, and they will face the law.”
She thanked and appreciated the Director General of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Manager, and all the NAPTIP operatives, as well as the collaboration of the Department of State Service (DSS) operatives at the Airport, the Airport Security Personnel, Immigration Officers, and airline operators for their support.
She maintained that human trafficking is a national concern, requesting that everyone must be on the same page to turn the heat on the traffickers. “Our resolve to ensure the protection of Nigerians from all forms of exploitation is firm and resolute”, the Director General of NAPTIP declared.
