At least 13 Libya-bound victims of human trafficking comprising two boys and 11 girls were on Tuesday rescued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP) in Kano State.
The joint operation involving NAPTIP, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Department of State Services, also led to the arrest of a trans-border human trafficking suspect, Nurudeen Sani.
The operation followed a tip-off from some concerned stakeholders who were disturbed by the nefarious activities of the suspect.
The agency’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Stella Nezan, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘Notorious trans-border human trafficker arrested; 13 Libyan-bound victims rescued.’
According to Nezan, NAPTIP has also commenced a manhunt for two other members of the trafficking ring simply named Bose and Ismael.
The victims who were said to have been recruited from Nigeria’s South West were heading to Libya through the Republic of Niger when they were intercepted at Basarawa Community, along the Kano-Katsina Road.
While Sani is currently under interrogation by NAPTIP operatives, the victims are undergoing counselling as part of the agency’s rehabilitation protocol.
Speaking on the arrest, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Basheer Muhammed, expressed concern over the activities of the traffickers and warned parents against yielding to pressure or deceit to hand their children to traffickers.
Muhammed said, “It is sad that despite the painful experience of victims along these notorious trafficking routes especially the Libya corridor, some people still agree to be trafficked out of the country.
“This is a dangerous decision.”
The NAPTIP boss vowed that his agency will trail the remaining gang members who are on the run; bringing them to justice.
“NAPTIP shall go after the remaining members of this trafficking gang and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Muhammed, therefore, thanked the other law enforcement agencies for their support and collaboration which led to the arrest of the suspect.
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