Transnational Organized Human Trafficking Syndicate Busted in Nigeria, Three Suspects Arrested, 20 Foreign Nationals Rescued

By: Michael Mike

In a deliberate effort to combat the activities of suspected trans-border criminal syndicates operating within Nigeria and other West African Countries,

Combined teams from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) have arrested three key individuals believed to be members of a trans-border criminal syndicates operating organized criminal network in Nigeria.

According to a statement by the Press Officer, NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, 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.

Following the directive of the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, the agency increased surveillance within border communities across the country in a bid to halt the activities of some suspected criminal syndicates who are believed to have infiltrated Nigeria from certain African countries.

Adekoye said the agency also strengthened collaboration with sister Law Enforcement Agencies and partners to nip the unwholesome activities of the criminal gangs in the bud.

Adekoye said during interviews, the victims 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.

He no ed that they were, however, subjected to sundry labour exploitation upon arrival in Nigeria.

In a related development, NAPTIP, in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal, has successfully rescued a middle-aged Nigerian victim of human trafficking from Dakar.

According to Adekoye, the victim, which name was withheld, arrived at the NAPTIP Lagos command, Ikeja, a few hours ago after a close shave with death in the hands of mindless traffickers in one of the remote villages of Senegal.

She was deceived into traveling 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.

She was subsequently forced into prostitution. When she refused to comply, her so-called 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. She is extremely distressed, and we fear for her life”, her relation in a petition to the agency stated.

Adekoye said the agency immediately reached out to the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar and other relevant partners, and she was immediately rescued and brought to Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, said the successful operations that led to the rescue of all the victims and arrest of the suspects were a reflection of the growing synergy between the agency. sister Law Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies 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 neighboring 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 criminalsyndicates.

“I want to sincerely thank the Chief of DefenceIntelligence (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.

“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 showed up in her life suddenly like 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.
“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 Director General stated.

The latest rescue brings the total number of victims rescued and received from neighboring countries by NAPTIP in the past week to 21.

Transnational Organized Human Trafficking Syndicate Busted in Nigeria, Three Suspects Arrested, 20 Foreign Nationals Rescued