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Tag: human trafficking

  • Air Peace boss reacts after returning trafficked women from Abidjan

    Air Peace boss reacts after returning trafficked women from Abidjan

    Dr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace Ltd., has described human trafficking as a blight on Nigeria’s shared humanity.

    Onyema said this as his airline executed a free-of-charge return of 78 trafficked Nigerian women from Abidjan.

    This is contained in a statement by  the airline’s spokesman, Mr Efe Ovie-Whiskey,  on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to the chairman, transporting the trafficked Nigerian women from Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, Abidjan to Lagos is a legacy of the airline’s humanitarian intervention and national service.

    Recall that in April, Onyema publicly promised to transport the trafficked women at no cost. He also offerred them medical and psychosocial support.

    “Human trafficking is a blight on our shared humanity. These women were lured with promises but they  ended up in misery.

    “As an airline of the people, we cannot stand by while Nigerians suffer abroad. We will always rise to the occasion because love for country and for humanity must compel action.

    “We will continue to stand in the gap when Nigerians are in distress, whether in Africa or beyond. We are not just flying aircraft, we are about lifting lives.

    “Our aircraft will always be available for noble causes. The suffering of our people anywhere in the world should concern us all,” he said.

    Air Peace collaborated with the Office of the Chargée d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan and the Nigerian Community in Côte d’Ivoire, in returning the women.

    The flight, operated on the airline’s wide-body Boeing 737 aircraft with registration 5N-BQV, departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 2.14 p.m. on Friday and touched down back in Lagos at 10.46 p.m. on the same Friday.

  • Human trafficking: 78 victims rescued from Cote d’Ivoire arrive Lagos

    Human trafficking: 78 victims rescued from Cote d’Ivoire arrive Lagos

    No fewer than 78 Nigerians rescued from human traffickers in Cote D’Ivoire have arrived in Lagos.

    The victims, comprising 73 females, two males and three babies arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos around 11 :00 p.m. on Saturday.

    Mrs Binta Bello, the Director-General (DG) National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) received them at the airport.

    Bello, in her speech, said that the return of the victims reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the fight against human trafficking.

    “This is a momentous occasion a day that marks not only the safe return of our beloved daughters but also a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to the fight against human trafficking.

    “To the young women and girls who have just returned – we say welcome home. You were taken far from the safety and dignity you deserve, but today, you are back on Nigerian soil, and you are not alone. You are home, and this country stands with you.

    “Your courage, your survival, and your retum symbolise hope for thousands of others who may still be in the shadows.

    “And to those who have perpetuated this evil let today be a reminder that Nigeria will never relent in pursuing justice, ” she said.

    The NAPTIP boss said that some of those responsible for the heinous trade had been apprehended and would face the full force of the law.

    According to her, the agency will profile and chat with the survivors for necessary measures in line with its mandate which included   counseling and skill acquisition training.

    “We thank the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its constant support and political will in the fight against trafficking in persons, the support has been instrumental in enabling NAPTIP to carry out this noble mandate.

    “We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Air Peace Airlines for their generous and patriotic assistance in facilitating the safe return of these victims free of charge.

    “Your partnership is a shining example of how the private sector can contribute meaningfully to national efforts.

    “To all our local and international partners, thank you. Your collaboration continues to empower us and today’s success is one we share with all of you,” she said.

    Bello urged the public to raise awareness, report suspicious activities, and to stand together against the grave violation of human dignity.

    Narrating her ordeal, a 24-year-old pregnant victim, said that a friend lured her into prostitution.

    “One of my friends told me that she is running a supermarket, that she would love me to come and work and earn like N300,000 a month.

    “She said that I should not worry about the transport that she is going to pay for me which she did.

    The victim said that the moment she got there, she discovered that there was no supermarket.

    “She said that she paid N3 million for my transport and that I must sleep with men for me to pay her back.

    “I told her I cannot but she threatened to either kill or cut my hair and take it to a herbalist to make me run mad.

    “For fear of the unknown, I started sleeping with different men, ” she said.

    According to her, she is four months pregnant and needs help to take care of herself and her unborn baby.

    “When I discovered I was pregnant, she asked me to abort, I told her I cannot because the baby is already big.

    “She started mistreating me, hitting me with sticks on my tummy, sometimes she sends some men to kick me in my stomach in order to lose the pregnancy.

    “When I could no longer bear the torture, I went to report to the police, ” she said.

    In the same vein, another victim, a 17-year-old said that she met a lady who compelled her into a commercial sex act.

    “A lady approached me, she said she would like to take me to Cote d’Ivoire to work in a restaurant and I will be paid 1.5million cfa monthly.

    “Myself and six other girls accepted, she told us not to tell our parents.

    “When we got there, she and her gang dumped us in a forest where men came to pick us up for sex, ” she said.

    The victim said that after undergoing a series of abortions, the lady did a five-year family planning for her.

    According to her, some of her colleagues died in the process.

    “Some of my colleagues who were picked up for sex never returned, some were killed and dumped on the road, ” she said.

  • Amotekun rescue 16 women from trafficking

    Amotekun rescue 16 women from trafficking

    The Ogun Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, confirmed on Wednesday the rescue of 16 women and girls allegedly forced into prostitution.

    While parading the victims and their trafficker in Abeokuta, Amotekun Corps Commander, Alade Adedigba, said the girls were rescued after an intelligence report.

    Adedigba explained that the victims, aged between 12 and 27, were rescued from Rail Line Hotel in Ifo, located in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

    The victims, mostly teenagers, were paraded alongside their alleged “carer,” identified as Mrs Idem Joy.

    Adedigba confirmed that 14 of the victims were from Akwa-Ibom, while one each came from Cross River and Delta.

    The commander added that N819,600 was recovered from the alleged trafficker, who kept the victims at Railway Line Hotel, Ifo, owned by Mrs. Yemisi Oguntoro, now at large.

    “Some victims revealed they were forced to swear an oath while naked with holy books, promising not to disclose their situation or attempt to escape,” Adedigba said.

    Adedigba emphasised the commitment of Gov. Dapo Abiodun to improve security and residents’ welfare. He reiterated that Ogun would not harbour criminals.

    “The Amotekun Corps will hand the case over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further action,” Adedigba said.

  • NIS hands over wanted suspect to NAPTIP

    NIS hands over wanted suspect to NAPTIP

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has confirmed receiving a high profile human trafficking suspect from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    The confirmation is contained in a statement on Friday in Abuja by a Press Officer in NAPTIP, Mr Vincent Adekoye.

    Adekoye said the suspect, Uadiale-Christiana Jacob, popularly known as Christy Gold, had been on the wanted list of NAPTIP since 2020.

    He said the woman had been operating across the Middle Eastern countries, with an operational base in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE).

    According to him, she was arrested on arrival from Dubai for the new year celebration, while her gang members like Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and one Prophet John in Lagos were still on the run.

    He explained that the suspect accused of recruiting underage Nigerian girls in Dubai for sexual exploitation, had earlier been arrested in 2020 in Benin and charged before a Federal High Court in Asaba but jumped bail and absconded to Dubai.

    He quoted NAPTIP Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, commending NIS for apprehending the suspect and demonstrating the essence of inter-agency collaboration.

    “NAPTIP also appreciates the efforts of other members of the Intelligence Community who are working behind the scenes to apprehend these fellows.

    “This is a clear message to other members of this international criminal gang who are still on the run: They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever.

    “We have already activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatus, and our partners around the World are on the lookout for these elements. Very soon, the net will catch them.

    “I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in the country in 2024 and we promise them a hell in 2025. We are more determined and will be more decisive this year to fish them out,” the NAPTIP boss said.

  • Navy rescues 7 suspected victims of human trafficking

    Navy rescues 7 suspected victims of human trafficking

    The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, has rescued seven suspected victims of human trafficking in Badagry.

    Lt. Bunmi Awodeyi, the Base Information Officer (BIO), in a statement in Badagry said the suspected victims of human trafficking were intercepted on Nov.12 and 13 respectively.

    According to her, at about 5.00.p.m. on Nov.12, FOB Badagry Quick Response Team (QRT) deployed at Market Outpost location, Badagry intercepted a fibre boat with passengers at Marina jetty en-route Panshi Owode, Lagos.

    “During the routine stop and search of passengers by the QRT at the jetty, it was discovered that three young ladies suspected to be victims of human trafficking were among the passengers.

    “Consequently, after much interrogation, the young ladies revealed that they were unaware of their destinations.

    “But disclosed that they had been instructed to call a contact number written on a sheet of paper issued to them upon arrival at Panshin where someone would pick them up to Republic of Benin and Togo for a better life.

    “The three suspected victims aged between 18 and  20 years were rescued and kept in Base custody,” she said.

    Awodeyi added that the Base QRT at the Base Jetty at about 12.55.p.m. on Nov.13, intercepted another fibre boat with passengers en-route Panshi Jetty from Mile 2.

    “During the routine stop and search of passengers by the QRT at the jetty, it was discovered that four young ladies suspected to be victims of human trafficking were among the passengers.

    “Consequently, after much interrogation, the young ladies revealed that they were unaware of their destinations.

    “But disclosed that they had been instructed to call a contact number written on a sheet of paper issued to them upon arrival at Panshin where someone would pick them up to Republic of Benin and Senegal for a better life.

    “The four suspected victims aged 21 to 24 years were rescued and kept in Base custody,” she said.

    She said the handing over to NAPTIP for further investigation and prosecution is in line with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution (HSOP-AD&P) 2016.

    She said 47 young ladies had been handed over to NAPTIP and Nigeria Immigration Service since July 2024.

    “These sustained efforts of FOB Badagry demonstrates its unwavering commitment to maritime security within its Area of Responsibility .

    “These are all geared towards complying with the Chief of Naval Staff Strategic Directive 2023-6 which is to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

    The suspected victims of human trafficking were later handed over to Mrs Comfort Agboko, the NAPTIP, Zonal Commander, the Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja, who promised to ensure proper investigation.

  • Delta begins public hearing on human trafficking prohibition bill

    Delta begins public hearing on human trafficking prohibition bill

    The Delta House of Assembly on Monday commenced public hearing on the state Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.

    The public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.

    ”The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.

    ”We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.

    ”We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process” she said.

    Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality, ” she added.

    On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.

    NAN also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.

    They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.

  • NAPTIP restates commitment to fighting human trafficking

    NAPTIP restates commitment to fighting human trafficking

    The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, has pledged the agency’s commitment to fight human trafficking.

     

    Waziri-Azi gave the assurance during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, in Abuja.

     

    The commitment by NAPTIP follows an investigative report by Human Angle Media exposing how many Nigerians trafficked to Egypt are inhumanely treated and exploited by their sponsors.

     

    Represented by the agency’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, decried the rising number of Nigerians who are victims of trafficking, pledging that “NAPTIP is fighting on all sides to curb human trafficking.”

     

    Akomolafe disclosed that the agency is aware of the report of Nigerians trafficked to Egypt and has already commenced interventions to rescue them while warning citizens to be wary of “offers that are too good to be true.”

     

    She identified weak legislation, lengthy judicial processes, and corrupt law enforcement officials as factors aiding and abetting trafficking in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world.

     

    “Corruption is endemic and cuts across other countries of the world, and that’s why trafficking is easily perpetrated in Nigeria and around the globe. You find law enforcement officials aiding and abetting traffickers. Some of them know these traffickers from their operations either at the entry or exit point. They give them something or become too familiar with them.

     

    “Apart from the bribery aspect, we also have officials turning a blind eye to trafficking activities, and that’s why for us at the agency (NAPTIP), we are not resting.”

     

    According to her, the agency, from inception, secured 672 convictions, 67 in 2023, and 35 persons so far this year (2024). She added that “NAPTIP is winning the war against trafficking but still wants stiffer punishment for traffickers and the support of the judiciary in hastening cases.

     

    “weak legislation is aiding trafficking. That’s why the agency continues pushing for amendments. Currently, NAPTIP is pushing for stiffer punishment against traffickers that will lead to confiscation of their monies and property.

     

    “NAPTIP Director-General (Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi) is fighting on all sides against human trafficking.

     

    “Where law enforcement officials are found complicit, NAPTIP Director-General does not take it lightly; she doesn’t compromise her anti-corruption stance even when a staff is involved,” Akomolafe stated.

     

    According to the Editor of Southern Operations, Human Angle Media, Kabir Adejumo, many Nigerians trafficked to Egypt engage in forced labour. They are also living in fear as authorities go after illegal immigrants.

     

    Adejumo said victims interviewed during the investigation are willing and interested in returning home, but their sponsors refuse to release their travel passports and threaten to implicate them.

     

    He also revealed that the NAPTIP and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) are aware of the plight of Nigerians trafficked in Egypt and have currently rescued one person.

     

    On her part, the Programme Manager of the Human Angle Foundation, Angela Umoro-David, expressed satisfaction at NAPTIP’s response to trafficking cases while urging the agency to stay on course with their mandate.

     

    Umoro-David called on Nigerians to use a Freedom of Information platform (foi.humananglemedia.com) to help citizens navigate requests for public records from different government parastatals and agencies.

     

    She stressed that the platform “is a website where people can submit their FOI requests to us (Human Angle), and we’ll submit it on their behalf to the particular agency. So we act as middlemen, connecting these government parastatals to the citizens”.

     

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • NAPTIP secures conviction of couple for human trafficking

    NAPTIP secures conviction of couple for human trafficking

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has secured the conviction of a couple in Benin for human trafficking.

    Mr Ganiu Aganran, the Coordinator of the Benin Zonal Command of NAPTIP, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with NAN in Benin.

    He said that the couple, Adesuwa Otabor and Otabor Idahosa, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to commit human trafficking.

    According to him, the High Court, Criminal Division 2, Benin City. found the couple guilty of exporting a victim to Dubai for prostitution.

    He noted that the offence contravened Section 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

    Aganran described the feat as part of NAPTIP’s director-general’s agenda of arresting, prosecuting and convicting high-profile human traffickers.

  • Police arrest suspected kingpin of human trafficking syndicate in Lagos

    Police arrest suspected kingpin of human trafficking syndicate in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State says it has arrested a suspected kingpin of child trafficking and labour syndicate, after three months of intelligence gathering.

    The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to NAN on Sunday.

    Hundeyin said the syndicate usually brought under-aged children from the northern part of Nigeria to Lagos State for child labour and other illegal activities against children.

    He said on Jan. 25, at about 5.45 p.m., a 45-year old leader of the syndicate, one Alimot Haruna of Molete Village, Ilorin, was arrested by detectives from Ijora Badia Police Division, who had monitored her movements.

    “In the process, three underaged children, two females and one male, whose names could not be ascertained- between ages 7 and 12, of no fixed address, were rescued from her.

    “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had illegally brought 42 children to Lagos State for child labour without the consent of their parents.

    “It was also revealed that the suspect had been declared wanted by the Kwara State Police Command in connection with many underaged children that have disappeared, which have been linked to her syndicate,” he said.

    Hundeyin further said that the Kwara State Police Command was contacted and confirmed that they have recovered some of the children, remaining only 11.

    He said that on further interrogation, the suspect mentioned places she kept the other children.

    “Their current custodians were contacted and they admitted having the children.

    ” While awaiting operatives from Kwara State Police Command Anti-Trafficking Unit to come and harmonise the case, efforts are on to rescue the remaining eight children,” he said.

  • Police intercept couple trafficking one-month old baby from Lagos to Anambra

    Police intercept couple trafficking one-month old baby from Lagos to Anambra

    The Police Command in Anambra has arrested a couple suspected to be trafficking a one-month-old baby from Lagos to Onitsha.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Onitsha.

    Ikenga said that the interception was made at Bridgehead in Onitsha on Sunday.

    According to him, the couple was travelling in a luxury bus belonging to a popular transport company with the baby when a co-passenger observed that the mother could not breastfeed the baby despite its cry for food in the course of the journey.

    “The good samaritan put a call through to Anambra Police on its Control Room hotline in Awka which then relayed the information to the Police at Bridgehead in Onitsha.

    “The Police laid in wait for the luxury bus described and intercepted it in the evening hours. The couple and the baby were identified and brought down for questioning,” he said.

    He noted that she confessed buying the child from its mother in Ajah, Lagos for the sum of N30,000.

    He further said that the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, thanked the public-spirited citizen for his humane concern in giving the information that led to the rescue of the child.

    He stressed that Adeoye commended the police operatives for their vigilance and dedication to duty.

    He said that the commissioner directed that the couple be handed to National Agency for Prohibition in Trafficking of Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.

    Ikenga said that the baby had been handed over to the state Ministry of Women Affairs for care pending investigation.