National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Uyo zonal command in collaboration Sokoto command, has rescued 8 victims of human trafficking ferried enroute Libya.
The victims who were all citizens of Akwa Ibom state comprised six girls and two boys were intercepted and rescued in Sokoto by operatives of the agency.
A release signed by the Uyo Zonal Commander for NAPTIP, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, indicated that the perpetrators of the crime have been apprehended and are facing prosecution for various trafficking offences.
According to him, “four persons lured these victims in to the journey. Two have been released while the other two are being charged to court. Out of the eight victims we have empowered 6 in collaboration with UNICEF.
“We gave them 4 sewing machines and two hair dryers. We need support from government for empowerment and to create more awareness in the interior where the vulnerable are being recruited.
“Akwa Ibom state is only a transit route not a destination. Victims are often brought in from Cameroon, Guinea Bissau through the riverine areas and transported outside Nigeria. In collaboration with Taskforce on Human Trafficking we are trying our best to curb the menace.
“We have about 10 cases in court. We have rescued 17 victims of human trafficking and 6 of them have been empowered while the rest have been reunited with their families.”
Meanwhile, NAPTIP Uyo Zonal Command has also rescued three girls who were deceived and trafficked by one Queen from Oron local government to Ogun state for sexual exploitation under the guise of job hunting.
The girls, according to NAPTIP, were promised better job opportunities in Lagos but ended up in Idiroko community in Ogun state where they were confined in a brothel and forcefully into prostitution.
“The said victims were sexually abused, exploited and proceeds made from their prostitution was received and used by one Madam Patricia for the said period. However, they were lured and tricked by the traffickers out of school and comfort of their homes without the knowledge of any of their whereabouts.
“The perpetrators of this crime are currently facing prosecution, while some of them are at large.”
The Zonal Commander urged every Akwa Ibom person to join in the fight against human trafficking and enjoined residents of the state to contact NAPTIP on:09168339703; 08023574406 or email: infouyo@naptip.gov.ng.
