The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, and the Defence Intelligence Agency have busted a transnational organised human trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects.
The operatives also said that 20 victims, trafficked from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Togo to Nigeria for various forms of labour exploitation, were rescued.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by NAPTIP Press Officer, Mr. Vincent Adekoye, in Abuja on Friday.
The operatives said the arrested suspects are believed to be members of an organised criminal network operating in Nigeria.
Adekoye stated that the operation, which was carried out in the Federal Capital Territory, Osun, and Nasarawa, targeted criminal cells and their kingpins.
“The arrest of these suspects was as a result of the directive by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, to increase surveillance within border communities across the country.
“The move is to halt the activities of some suspected crime syndicates who are believed to have infiltrated Nigeria from certain African countries.
“NAPTIP has also strengthened collaboration with sister law enforcement agencies and partners to nip the unwholesome activities of the criminal gangs in the bud,” he said.
Adekoye said that during interviews, the rescued victims said they were deceived by members of the syndicate with promises of high-paying jobs in Nigeria.
He said that these victims processed their documentation for onward journeys to different locations in Europe, but they were, however, subjected to sundry labour exploitation upon arrival in Nigeria.
