In a significant breakthrough, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully dismantled a prominent human trafficking ring at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The operation, which lasted six hours, led to the arrest of five individuals and the rescue of 24 victims.
This targeted raid, conducted on Wednesday under the direct supervision of NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, was based on reliable intelligence regarding the traffickers’ activities and their movement of victims through the airport.
Vincent Adekoye, the agency’s spokesperson, disclosed that among those detained was a retired senior security official, identified as a pivotal figure within the trafficking network. The syndicate reportedly recruited victims from various Nigerian states, with a strong focus on the South-West region.
The rescued individuals, predominantly between the ages of 15 and 26, were trafficked from states including Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers. Their destinations spanned several countries such as Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.
Many victims shared harrowing accounts of being deceived with promises of well-paying jobs abroad. One young woman recounted how she was misled into believing she was traveling to Europe, encouraged by her parents to seize the opportunity. Another victim, visibly emotional after viewing informational videos about stranded Nigerians overseas, accused her father of tricking her into the perilous journey.
Director-General Bello condemned the exploitative methods used by traffickers, emphasizing how they capitalize on the vulnerabilities of desperate youths. She pledged to expand the agency’s monitoring efforts beyond airports to include bus terminals and coastal areas known for recruitment activities.
“All individuals apprehended will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, while the rescued victims will be provided with comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration services,” Bello affirmed.
This successful intervention highlights the escalating threat posed by human trafficking networks that exploit Nigerians with false hopes of better opportunities abroad.