Nigerian Immigration intercepts 8 trafficked victims en route Libya in Jigawa
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) under the Jigawa State Command has intercepted eight victims of human trafficking along Kaya – Daurawa – Roni link road in the state.
NIS State Comptroller, Ahmad Bagari, disclosed this at a news briefing in Dutse on Tuesday, Punch reports.
He said the eight victims included five males and three females who hailed from Abia, Edo, Imo, and Ogun states, while the driver hailed from Achilafiya Town of Yankwashi LGA of Jigawa.
He disclosed that the victims were rescued on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at about 7 pm on their way to the Niger Republic, en route to Libya, along with their driver and a vehicle (Saloon Golf) with registration number; YEN-07 CE Bayelsa).
Bagari explained that the victims were between 19 and 45 years old, pointing out that only one of them was in possession of an expired Nigerian passport.
The Comptroller listed the victims’ names as Nosa Isaac (M) 45yrs – Edo, Emanuel Ogur (M) 37yrs – Imo, Abdulwasiu Oladokun (M) 36yrs – Ogun, Blessing John (F) 28yrs – Abia, Etiosa Henry (M) 24yrs – Edo, Osagie Francis (M) 20yrs – Edo, Faith Moses (F) 20yrs – Edo, and Success Jacob (F) 19yrs – Abia.
He further explained that the victims mostly travelled without an agent as all transactions were made on phone within the syndicate.
“Mainly, they are influenced by friends and with the knowledge of their parents/guardians,” he said.
Comptroller Bagari further said no incriminating items/drugs were found in their possession upon interrogation.
He revealed that the Comptroller General of the Service, Idris Jere, had directed that the victims be handed over to NAPTIP and advised parents and guardians to desist from sending their children/wards abroad for non-existing greener pastures.
He stressed that Nigeria was far better than the so-called greener posture abroad in the form of freedom and other expectations.
“It is important to advise parents/guardians and the general public to watch over their children/wards and instill patriotism in them to stay in their country of origin and build it to greater heights.
“This non-existing greener posture abroad deprives them of their freedom and exposes them to slavery, forced labour, organ harvest, and death in the desert and at the sea, en route to their destination.
“Therefore, the general public is further advised to exercise their civic responsibility by reporting cases of human trafficking and other related criminal acts to the nearest security agencies,” the Comptroller noted.
