The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) have arrested three suspects believed to be members of an organised criminal network operating in Nigeria.
NAPTIP noted that the well-coordinated operation, which was carried out in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Osun and Nasarawa States, targeting the criminal cells and their kingpins, led to the rescue of 20 victims trafficked from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Togo to Nigeria for various forms of labour exploitation.
The Agency in a statement on Friday by its Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye stated that following the directive of the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, the Agency increased surveillance within border communities across the country to halt the activities of some suspected crime syndicates who are believed to have infiltrated Nigeria from certain African countries.
The Agency also added that it strengthened collaboration with sister law enforcement agencies and partners to nip the unwholesome activities of the criminal gangs in the bud.
The victims, according to the statement by the agency, said they were deceived by members of the syndicate with promises of high-paying jobs in Nigeria, while they processed documentation for onward journeys to different locations in Europe.
Contrary to the promises made to them, they were subjected to sundry labour exploitation upon arrival in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, NAPTIP, in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal, has rescued a middle-aged Nigerian victim of human trafficking from Dakar.
The unnamed victim arrived at the NAPTIP Lagos Command, Ikeja, after a close shave with death in the hands of mindless traffickers in one of the remote villages of Senegal.
According to the agency, she was deceived into travelling to Senegal with promises of a job as a hairstylist 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 forced into prostitution and when she refused to comply, her employer confiscated her identification documents and threw her out, leaving her unable to move freely or return home.
In a petition by her relation to the Agency, it was stated: “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”.
The Agency immediately reached out to the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar and other relevant partners, and she was immediately rescued and brought to Nigeria.
The NAPTIP Boss attributed the successful operations that led to the rescue of all the victims and arrest of the suspects to the synergy between the Agency and other relevant authorities in Nigeria.
She said: “The operation was strategic and targeted at the transnational organized 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”.
She thanked the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, for his sustained support to NAPTIP in its activities, 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 in the operation.”
On the victim from Senegal, she said: “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 suddenly showed up in her life as a timely helper. She was promised a hair stylist 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 traumatized.
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“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 DG stated.
NAPTIP has, in the past week, rescued and received 21 victims from neighbouring countries.
