Immigration arrests 144 human traffickers in Oyo

Children, who were victims of internal and international trafficking were rescued through the intelligence and surveillance effort of men of the Oyo State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) during various operations at different locations within the state in the last four months.

Making the disclosure, the Oyo State Comptroller, Mrs. Victoria Isangedighi, explained that not less than 75 of the rescued children were minors who were suspected to have been lured from their parents by unsuspecting relatives for the purpose of using them for child labour both within and outside the country.

While responding to question from members of the Correspondents Chapel of Oyo NUJ who paid her a courtesy call in her office, Isangedighi said that 12 of the cases that requires further investigation and probably prosecution had been transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other related Matters (NAPTIP).

Explaining, she said in the last two months of her assumption of office, the Command has registered up to 7,300 foreigners from across the ECOWAS countries who have shown interesting in staying within the jurisdiction of the command from the neighboring West African countries.

Isangedighi, however, added that the Command has also apprehended over 2,000 illegal immigrants into the country, with either fake or invalid documents.

She commended the gallant and intelligence effort of the border corps of the Command for arresting and repatriating illegal immigrants, in the face of the security challenges facing the country.

Earlier, Chairman, Correspondents Chapel, Mr. Olaoluwa Ajayi explained that the motive behind the visit was to familiarise with the new helmsman and also seek clarification on issues pertaining to efforts of the Command.