14-6-2025
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the Defence Intelligence Agency have busted a transnational organised human trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects.
The operatives also said that 20 victims trafficked from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Togo to Nigeria for various forms of labour exploitation were rescued.
This is contained in a statement by the NAPTIP Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, in Abuja.
The operatives said that the arrested suspects were believed to be members of an organized criminal network operating in Nigeria.
Mr Adekoye stated that the operation which was carried out in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Osun and Nasarawa states, targeted criminal cells and their kingpins.
It stated, “The arrest of these suspects was as a result of the directive by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, to increase surveillance within border communities across the country. The move is to halt the activities of some suspected crime syndicates who are believed to have infiltrated Nigeria from certain African countries. NAPTIP has also strengthened collaboration with sister law enforcement agencies and partners to nip the unwholesome activities of the criminal gangs in the bud.’’
Mr Adekoye said that during interviews, the rescued victims said they were deceived by members of the syndicate with promises of high-paying jobs in Nigeria.
He said that the victims processed their documentation for onward journeys to different locations in Europe, but they were, however, subjected to sundry labour exploitation upon arrival in Nigeria.
In a related development, Mr Adekoye said that NAPTIP, in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal, also rescued a middle-aged Nigerian victim of human trafficking from Dakar.
He said that the victim arrived at the NAPTIP Lagos Command, Ikeja, some few hours ago after a close shave with death in the hands of mindless traffickers in one of the remote villages of Senegal.
According to Mr Adekoye, the victim was deceived into travelling to Senegal with promises of a job as a hairstylist and make-up artist.
He said that the victim later discovered that her boss, whom she referred to as ‘Madam Rose,’ was into the business of child/sex trafficking.
He stated, “She was subsequently forced into prostitution. When she refused to comply, her 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.’’