Crime
NIDCOM Gets 17 Trafficked Girls Rescued, 5 Traffickers Arrested in Ghana
NIDCOM Gets 17 Trafficked Girls Rescued, 5 Traffickers Arrested in Ghana
By: Michael Mike
Seventeen young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and repatriated back to the country while five traffickers were equally arrested.
This latest rescue operation brought to 130 girls repatriated back to Nigeria from Ghana alone since July 2024.
According to a statement signed on Sunday by the Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Abdur-Rahman Balogun, this was sequel to the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.
Speaking on this latest efforts, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO NiDCOM, expressed her gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her support in facilitating the safe return of the young girls back to the country.
She also commended the vital roles played by the BOT Chairman of NIDO Ghana, Chief Callistus Elozieuwa,, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.
She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.
Balogun, in the statement, stated that the rescued young girls, ages 18 to 29 years, come from various states, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Edo, and Ebonyi.
He said they were lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed her determination to the rescue of those still trafficked in conjuction with various stakeholders, noting that many more trafficked Nigerians are still awaiting rescue.
Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Mr. Williams Ayaregah praised NiDCOM’s efforts under Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s leadership.
He said: “More than ever, traffickers must realise that Ghana is no longer a safe haven.”
The operation, conducted in Kpone Katamanso, Tema, resulted in one of the largest single- operation arrests, with five traffickers apprehended.
Mr. Akinboye Akinsola, representing NiDCOM, played a critical role in escorting the rescued women back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa added that two young men were also repatriated, including one who was previously detained in Ghanaian prison.
With NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the young man underwent rehabilitation and has now returned to his home state, Anambra, for family reintegration.
This cross-national effort underscores NiDCOM’s dedication to eradicating human trafficking and highlights the importance of international collaboration to protect Nigerians abroad.
NIDCOM Gets 17 Trafficked Girls Rescued, 5 Traffickers Arrested in Ghana
Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier during a routine security operation in Kurnari area of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola that the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Prilla Bulama Ali, was arrested on April 24 at about 4:25 p.m. following credible intelligence and a three-week surveillance operation.
The suspect was intercepted at a checkpoint mounted by troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion in collaboration with local vigilantes.
According to the source, the suspect was found in possession of a tricycle loaded with petrol, alongside mobile phones, a power bank, a debit card, a national identity card, a cutlass, and other suspected incriminating items including charms.
The source said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect was heading towards Helmajibir general area in Biu Local Government Area when he was apprehended.
He added that the suspect and recovered items are currently in military custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The military sources said that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics networks and deny insurgents access to supplies and local collaborators in the North-East theatre of operations.
Military authorities assured that operations under Operation Hadin Kai would continue to intensify pressure on terrorist elements until normalcy is fully restored in the region.
Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist during a firefight in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on April 23 when troops of 8 Division Garrison, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Marnona, responded to intelligence on terrorist activities at Illela village.
The sources said the troops made contact with the assailants and engaged them in a gun battle.
“Following the exchange of fire, one terrorist was neutralised, while others fled the scene,” the sources said.
They added that a vigilante member who supported the operation sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated for medical attention.
According to the sources, troops have continued to dominate the general area to forestall further terrorist activities.
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected terrorists during a routine patrol in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on April 22 by troops of 12 Brigade deployed at Dankolo.
The sources said the troops intercepted the suspects while on patrol along the Adankolo–Adankolo road.
According to the sources, the suspects claimed they were invited to the area for cattle rearing and provided a phone number of a civilian contact, which could not be reached.
Items recovered from the suspects include one mobile phone, two mobile phone batteries, charms, and the sum of ₦1,500.
The sources added that the suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of 12 Mechanised Infantry Regiment for further investigation and necessary action.
They noted that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and prevent criminal activities in the area.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi
Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno
Troops Intercept Terrorist Logistics Courier, Recover Ammunition in Zamfara
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