Ten individuals who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in a significant operation in the Federal Capital Territory. The group was being prepared for migration abroad under dubious circumstances.
Acting on a reliable tip-off, NSCDC officers located and stopped the group at Zuba motor park in Abuja upon their return from Minna, Niger State, where they were sent to process their international passports. Their supposed sponsor had instructed them to do so.
The group consisted of one male and nine females, all aged between 24 and 34 and from Ondo State. Each individual had paid a substantial fee of eighty thousand naira (₦80,000) solely for obtaining their passports. They disclosed to the authorities that they were promised overseas employment in North Africa and Canada by an unidentified sponsor from Okitipupa, Ondo State. Ten individuals who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in a significant operation in the Federal Capital Territory. The group was being prepared for migration abroad under dubious circumstances.
Acting on a reliable tip-off, NSCDC officers located and stopped the group at Zuba motor park in Abuja upon their return from Minna, Niger State, where they were sent to process their international passports. Their supposed sponsor had instructed them to do so. “Be careful of the types of people that are promising you a better future abroad; don’t be desperate because some of them end up ruining your lives,” Odumosu advised. “They deceive you and collect huge sums of money from you, claiming there are ready-made jobs, whereas you may end up in slavery or forced to be sex workers.”
Following their interception, the rescued individuals were handed over to the Nigeria Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and appropriate legal actions. This transfer highlights the gravity of the situation and the potential legal repercussions for those involved in the trafficking scheme. The NSCDC reiterated its commitment to fighting human trafficking and called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to trafficking or illegal migration.
NAPTIP is working hard to address the issue of increasing irregular migration among Nigerians. Despite ongoing sensitization efforts, the agency is concerned about the stubborn persistence of Nigerians in undertaking dangerous irregular migrations. Zacks Dauda, a spokesperson for NAPTIP, expressed the agency’s frustration to The PUNCH. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for effective strategies to combat human trafficking and provide safe and legal alternatives for those seeking better opportunities abroad.
