The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons NAPTIP Sokoto Zonal Office has reunited 22 rescued victims of human trafficking with their respective families.
The victims were intercepted at Niger Republic and handed over to the Agency by the Nigeria Immigration Service Illela Command on August 30, 2021.
Handing over the victims, the Zonal Commander of the Agency, Mr Abubakar Bashiru, said they have concluded all the required investigations and the victims would be reunited with their families through various community leaders resident in Sokoto.
“The agency had contacted their parents and agreed that victims from Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States South-West Nigeria should be handed over to Yoruba community in the State, while those from Imo State, South-East of the country be handed to the Igbo community and those from Delta and Edo States, South-South to Edo community, all in Sokoto,” Mr Bashiru said.
He said their parents reiterated their readiness to give more support and to be available when needed for the prosecution of perpetrators if arrested.
He urged parents to always be vigilant and give their children proper care and counselling and stop sending them elsewhere to look for money.
He commended the Director General of the Agency, Senator Bashir Garba, for his support to his office towards achieving their set objectives.
Receiving the victims on behalf of the Community leaders, President General Yoruba Community in Sokoto, Chief James Olorufemi, expressed his sadness over the incident.
He urged parents to always desist from such acts and engage their children in other meaningful activities.
The President General also charged traditional institutions in the area to continue to sensitize parents on the dangers of human trafficking.
Nneka Ukachukwu
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