In a significant crackdown on human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 13 Nigerian women who were about to be trafficked to Baghdad, Iraq, for sexual and labour exploitation. The victims, aged between 19 and 39, were intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja following a tip-off from concerned partners who noticed suspicious activities.
The women had been lured by unregistered labour agents operating between Nigeria and the Middle East, who promised them lucrative job opportunities abroad. However, investigations revealed that the victims were being trafficked into exploitative conditions. NAPTIP operatives acted swiftly to prevent their departure, saving them from a potentially harrowing fate.
In a separate operation, NAPTIP also raided a popular hotel in Kwali, Abuja, rescuing 11 underage girls who were being sexually exploited. The hotel owner was arrested during the operation, while other staff members fled the scene. The agency has intensified its efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks and protect vulnerable Nigerians from falling prey to such schemes.
NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed deep concern over the increasing activities of illegal recruiters and the deceptive tactics they use to exploit unsuspecting victims. She warned that many Nigerians trafficked abroad under false pretenses often face dire conditions, including unpaid salaries, physical abuse, and life-threatening injuries.
“We cannot stand by and let more Nigerians fall into this trap,” Bello stated, vowing to pursue and bring to justice the criminals behind these trafficking syndicates. She emphasized the agency’s commitment to combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety and dignity of Nigerian citizens.
NAPTIP has called on parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. The agency also urged all labour recruiters to obtain the necessary clearance certificates to operate legally, as part of efforts to curb the exploitation of Nigerians seeking employment opportunities abroad.
These operations underscore NAPTIP’s ongoing efforts to tackle human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to modern-day slavery. The agency continues to work with local and international partners to dismantle trafficking networks and provide support to survivors.
