In a significant breakthrough against cross-border human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), working alongside the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), has rescued 20 individuals from the grip of a transnational criminal network operating within Nigeria and across parts of West Africa.
The rescue operation targeted a syndicate that had been trafficking victims from Equatorial Guinea and Togo into Nigeria under false pretenses of legitimate employment, only to subject them to harsh labour exploitation.
According to a statement by NAPTIP’s press officer, Vincent Adekoye, the operation was carried out in line with the strategic directive of the agency’s Director-General, Binta Bello.
He noted that arrests were made in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Osun, and Nasarawa States, where three suspected key members of the gang were apprehended.
Adekoye explained that the agency had ramped up surveillance efforts in Nigeria’s border communities to counter the infiltration of trans-border criminal syndicates.
“The agency also strengthened collaboration with sister law enforcement agencies and partners to nip the unwholesome activities of the criminal gangs in the bud,” he said.
The victims, during debriefing, disclosed that they were lured with promises of well-paying jobs in Nigeria. Some were even told they were being processed for travel to Europe, only to be exploited upon arrival.
In a separate but related development, NAPTIP, in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal, has rescued a middle-aged Nigerian woman who narrowly escaped being trafficked in Dakar.
The woman, whose name was withheld, arrived safely at NAPTIP’s Lagos Command in Ikeja after enduring abuse and abandonment.
She had been misled with promises of a job as a hair stylist and make-up artist.
However, upon arrival in Senegal, her so-called employer, referred to as Madam Rose, revealed her true involvement in sex and child trafficking.
“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.”
When she resisted being forced into prostitution, her identification documents were seized, and she was cast out onto the streets of a remote village in Senegal, unable to 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 wrote in a petition to NAPTIP.
Adekoye said that following the petition, NAPTIP worked swiftly with the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar and other partners to secure the woman’s release and immediate return to Nigeria.
With her rescue, NAPTIP has now successfully repatriated 21 victims from neighbouring countries within the past week alone.
Speaking on the joint operations, Director-General Binta Bello commended the coordinated effort, saying it was proof of enhanced synergy among law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
“The operation was strategic and targeted at the transnational organised criminal elements that are now making Nigeria an attractive human trafficking destination,” Bello stated.
“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.”
She emphasized that the campaign against trafficking would be sustained nationwide: “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.”
Bello extended appreciation to the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for their critical support.
“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,” she said.
Describing the Senegal case as “very pathetic,” Bello shared more about the victim’s background.
“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.”
She added that efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the trafficker known as Madam Rose.
“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.”
Bello also praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Immigration Service for their roles in the woman’s safe return.
“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.”
