The Sokoto State Zonal office of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic Persons and other related matters, NAPTIP has received 22 victims of human trafficking rescued by the Niger Republic Police force.
The zonal commander of the agency, Mr Abubakar Bashiru, stated this while briefing Journalists in his office in Sokoto.
According to him, the victims were rescued by the Nigerien Police and handed over to Nigeria Immigration Service Illela border Command on 29th of August, and later handed over to NAPTIP.
Mr Bashiru added that the victims aged15 to 25 came from Lagos, Edo, Delta, Ogun and Imo States respectively.
“The victims whom are from the southern part of the country we’re on their way to Europe through Niger Republic to Libya and then their final destination.
“They are 22 in number, which includes; 21 females and one man,” he said.
He said due to the trauma they passed through, one of the females was hospitalised and now responding to medical treatment.
The Zonal Commander said the agency is collaborating with other security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.
He explained that the victims were undergoing certain investigation and as soon as it’s over they would be reunited with their parents.
Mr Bashiru urged parents to always be careful not to be misled and to know whom to hand their children to for their overall safety.
He called on all relevant stakeholders to come on board to fight trafficking of human persons across the country.
The Zonal Commander however said the agency would continue to sensitize people on the dangers of human trafficking.
Emmanuel Ukoh
