Authorities from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have apprehended five individuals suspected of human trafficking at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Leading the operation on Wednesday was NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, who also oversaw the rescue of 24 victims caught in trafficking networks.
According to a statement by NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, among those detained is a retired senior security official whose identity remains undisclosed.
This individual is believed to hold a significant role within a trafficking ring active in Nigeria’s South-West region.
The agency emphasized that this intervention is part of an intensified crackdown initiated by the DG, focusing on dismantling recruitment centers, trafficking hotspots, and transit routes across the country.
Director General Bello has mandated enhanced vigilance nationwide, with particular scrutiny on transportation hubs such as motor parks, coastal waterways, and airport-cargo-revenue/” title=”After 15 Years, FAAN Triumphantly Reclaims Cargo Revenue Collection at Lagos …”>international airports.
The recent operation was triggered by intelligence from vigilant partners and stakeholders who reported a surge in suspected trafficking activities at the airport, alongside suspicious behavior by certain traffickers.
“After nearly six hours of coordinated efforts, the trafficking network was effectively disrupted, resulting in the arrest of five suspects and the liberation of 24 victims,” Adekoye stated.
The rescued individuals, aged between 15 and 26, were recruited from states including Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers.
They were reportedly destined for countries such as Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.
Many of the victims spoke only their native languages, with some unaware of their actual destinations.
One victim recounted, “They told my mother I was going to Europe to work and earn dollars. My parents were pleased and allowed me to go.”
Another survivor expressed determination to hold her father accountable for misleading her into the journey.
Following counseling sessions, the DG showed the victims videos depicting the harsh realities faced by Nigerians stranded abroad and those receiving medical care after exploitation.
“Watching the footage of girls being abused and beaten by traffickers was heart-wrenching. If that’s what awaits me, I refuse to go. I feel deeply betrayed by my father,” one victim shared emotionally.
Director General Bello lamented the ongoing deceit by unregistered labor recruiters and traffickers who continue to exploit Nigerians for various forms of abuse.
“I commend the success of today’s operation, which led to the arrest of five key suspects involved in recruiting and trafficking our citizens to conflict-ridden countries, particularly in the Middle East, for exploitation,” she affirmed.
