Charles Esther
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 25 women suspected of being victims of labour exploitation while attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Agency’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye.
Operation Targets Human Trafficking Syndicates
NAPTIP explained that the operation was part of an intensified clampdown on trafficking networks that recruit and traffic Nigerians to Middle Eastern countries.
The women were intercepted in front of a well-known hotel in Wuse II, Abuja, where they had gathered while waiting for their trafficker.
Travel Agency Under Investigation
The Agency confirmed that it has launched a manhunt for a popular travel agency suspected to be heavily involved in the recruitment of the women.
It stressed that the operation was a continuation of its expanded surveillance and monitoring activities across major cities in Nigeria.
Renewed Crackdown Following DG’s Directive
NAPTIP recalled that its Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, recently directed operatives to step up surveillance in response to a surge in trafficking cases targeting vulnerable persons from rural communities.
The directive also included stronger collaborations with security agencies and partners along known trafficking routes.
Victims Share Their Experiences
During interrogation, the women, aged between 17 and 43, revealed that they were recruited from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States under false promises of jobs as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.
One victim explained that recruiters approached her parents with assurances of high-paying jobs abroad.
However, she noted that none of the promised travel documents, including passports and visas, were provided.
The victims expressed concern that their traffickers failed to show up as earlier promised.
