NAPTIP rescues 21 victims, arrests 2 human trafficking suspects in A’Ibom
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says the agency on January 13 rescued 21 victims from suspected human traffickers.
Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Nduka Nwawwenne, who disclosed this in Uyo on Tuesday, said the 21 victims were intercepted by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) along Obot Akara Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom state in a bus conveying them to the western part of the country.
He said that two suspects arrested in connection with the crime were undergoing interrogation to determine the actual purpose of the traffickers.
The zonal commander said preliminary investigation has revealed that most of the victims whose ages range from 15 to 18 were from Cross River state, adding that most of them were males.
He said the two suspects arrested were the driver and the conductor of the bus, adding that investigation is still ongoing to uncover the prime suspect.
“We can say this is one of the success stories of collaboration we are having. The DSS has just handed over 21 victims of human trafficking yesterday (Monday); that is the essence of collaboration.
“Investigation revealed that they were coming from Cross River state and they had a stop-over at Obot Akara in Akwa Ibom state before proceeding. They were heading to the western part of Nigeria.
“They are mainly teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18. Many of them are males. We have arrested the driver and the bus conductor carrying them and impounded the vehicle.
“There is another crime suspect we are trying to track that is said to be working with the prime suspect,” he said.
The zonal commander said that the agency would not relent in its effort at fighting human trafficking to a standstill, stressing that human trafficking is a crime against humanity.
Read Also: Teaching is one of the noblest of professions – Buhari
He added that the Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Donli, has zero tolerance for human trafficking, stating that the agency would continue to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers associated with human trafficking.
Nwawwenne warned human traffickers to desist from their nefarious act or face the full wrath of the law.
