NAPTIP RESCUE 11 PERSONS FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKERS

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with the Nigeria Police has busted a gang of human traffickers in Kubwa, Abuja.



In a statement, the made available to journalists over the weekend, the Public Relations Officer, Nneka Aniagoh, said 11 girls were rescued while four suspected human traffickers were arrested during the operation.

According to Nneka, the Hotel, ‘Thales Guest House’ (AKA 33) located at pipeline road of kubwa, being the Hotel where prostitution takes place was also sealed off pending further investigation in accordance with sections 43 and 52 of the Trafficking In Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, which authorizes NAPTIP to enter, search and seal up properties suspected to be used for human trafficking purposes.


She said “the raid followed an intelligent report about the place being used for underaged girls for exploitative prostitution and intense surveillance was mounted by officers of the Agency which led to the arrest of four suspects: Onyinyechi Osuoha-32 years old, Nkechi Chukwuma- 37years old, Sandra Chi- 32 years old, and 27-year-old Favour James.

Nneka stated also that preliminary finding revealed that suspected human traffickers often lure their victims mostly underage girls from different parts of the country with a promise of getting the federal government jobs, only to subject them to commercial sex worker on arrival.


“The victims end up working as sex workers for their mistresses at a fee which is remitted to the suspects after serving the suspect’s clients; this is a very precarious condition” she lamented.


Reacting to the development, the Director General for NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah, lauded the timely efforts of officers and men of Nigeria Police Force and NAPTIP, describing it as a true proof of strong partnership between the two law enforcement organizations aimed at ridding the society of ills such as this.

The NAPTIP Boss also sent a strong warning to operators of brothels who use underage girls as prostitutes to desist from such acts, as the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 criminalizes the sexual exploitation of minors, in any form.


She further enjoined members of the public to report such establishments to NAPTIP, as they are not only immoral and an abuse of human rights, but also a criminal act that is punishable by law.


She added that “young girls should either be in school or learn skills that will empower them as functional members of the society, not to be holed up in brothels for sexually exploitation by human traffickers. As for the suspects, they will definitely be charged to Court and prosecuted accordingly, on completion of investigations.” she maintained.