CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has rescued 13 Nigerian girls who were allegedly trafficked to Mali and Burkina Faso by a human trafficking syndicate, the agency confirmed on Tuesday.
According to NAPTIP, the victims were lured from various states in Nigeria with promises of legitimate employment opportunities abroad. The agency said preliminary investigations revealed the girls were later subjected to exploitation and abuse upon arrival in their destination countries.
NAPTIP’s Zonal Commander for Benin Zonal Command, Nduka Nwanwenne, disclosed this during a press briefing in Benin City. He said the rescue operation followed credible intelligence received by the agency from local and international anti-trafficking partners.
“The victims were deceived with the promise of good jobs outside Nigeria. Unfortunately, they ended up in situations of exploitation and abuse,” Nwanwenne told reporters.
He added that the victims have been profiled and are currently receiving counseling, medical care, and rehabilitation at a NAPTIP shelter in Benin City pending reunion with their families.
According to NAPTIP, the traffickers allegedly approached the victims with offers of jobs as salesgirls, waitresses, and domestic workers in Mali and Burkina Faso. The victims, who hail from Edo, Delta and other neighboring states, were allegedly told they would earn between 150,000 and 200,000 CFA francs monthly.
Nwanwenne said investigations showed that after arrival, the girls discovered the promised jobs did not exist and were allegedly forced into exploitative conditions to repay debts for travel and documentation.
The Zonal Commander said all 13 survivors are currently undergoing medical examination and psychological counseling at the NAPTIP shelter in Benin City. He said social workers are profiling each victim to trace their families for safe reunification.
“Rehabilitation is key because these girls have gone through trauma. We are working with NGOs and community leaders to ensure they are properly reintegrated,” he stated.
NAPTIP added that vocational training will be provided to help the survivors become self-reliant after leaving the shelter.
The Zonal Commander warned Nigerians, especially young women and girls, to be cautious of unsolicited job offers abroad. He said traffickers often use social media, friends, and relatives to deceive victims with promises of high-paying jobs.
“Do not accept any job offer outside Nigeria without verifying it through NAPTIP or other relevant government agencies. Many of these offers are traps used by traffickers,” he cautioned.
Nwanwenne urged parents to monitor the activities of their children and report suspicious recruitment agents to law enforcement.
GAHTO Collaborates With NAPTIP On Rescue
The rescue operation was carried out in collaboration with the Global Association of Human Trafficking Officers, GAHTO. GAHTO is an international organization that works with law enforcement agencies across Africa to combat cross-border trafficking and rescue victims.
According to NAPTIP, the collaboration between both organizations made it possible to locate and secure the safe return of the victims from Mali and Burkina Faso. The agency said joint operations have increased rescue success rates in West Africa.
NAPTIP said investigations are ongoing to arrest and prosecute members of the trafficking network involved in the crime. The agency said it has obtained statements from the survivors and is working with security agencies in Mali and Burkina Faso to identify the foreign collaborators.
“Trafficking is a crime against humanity. We will ensure that everyone involved, both in Nigeria and abroad, faces the full weight of the law,” Nwanwenne assured.
The agency said some suspects have allegedly been placed on watchlists at Nigerian borders.
Legal experts say human trafficking is punishable under the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, TIPPEA Act 2015. Section 13 of the Act prescribes up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of N5 million for anyone who recruits, transports, transfers, harbors or receives persons for the purpose of exploitation.
Section 15 also criminalizes organizing or facilitating trafficking, with stiffer penalties if the victim is a child. NAPTIP said it will charge the suspects under relevant sections of the Act once investigations conclude.
Edo, Delta Remain High-Risk For Human Trafficking
NAPTIP noted that Edo and Delta States remain high-risk zones for human trafficking due to proximity to international borders and high migration pressure. The agency said Benin City has been a major transit point for traffickers moving victims to Europe and North Africa.
The Zonal Commander said NAPTIP has opened additional zonal offices and increased surveillance in border communities to intercept trafficking networks before victims leave Nigeria.
NAPTIP said it has intensified awareness campaigns in schools, markets, churches, and rural communities across Edo, Delta, and other high-risk states. The agency runs a 24-hour toll-free helpline 07030000203 for reporting suspected trafficking cases.
“Human trafficking destroys lives and families. We will continue to work with local and international partners to stop this crime and bring perpetrators to justice,” Nwanwenne stated.
Citizens were urged to verify travel documents and report suspicious job offers.
The rescued girls are expected to be reunited with their families after completing the rehabilitation process, NAPTIP added. The agency said family tracing is ongoing with the help of community leaders and traditional rulers.
GAHTO, in a statement, reiterated its commitment to supporting NAPTIP in rescuing vulnerable Nigerians and dismantling trafficking networks across Africa. The organization called for more public awareness to end modern slavery.
