AT least forty three victims of human trafficking were on Friday rescued in Katsina and Kano States on their way to different parts of Africa and Europe for prostitution and various exploitative purposes.
A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole, said 21 of the victims were intercepted in Kano by operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Emerole noted that the 22 others were intercepted by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Katsina State and handed over to the Agency for investigation and reunion with their families.
He added that one suspect who was caught along with the victims in Katsina was arrested.
The victims who were rescued in Kano were intercepted at Kwanaa Dangora, a link between Kano, Jigawa and Katsina. Preliminary investigations indicate that they were being trafficked to Europe.
The victims consist of 19 males and 2 females whose ages range between 16 and 37years. They are from Edo, Imo, Nassarawa, Kogi and Delta States.
The victims that the Nigeria Immigration Service handed over to NAPTIP were intercepted at Kwado village in Katsina State on their way to Morocco via Niger Republic.
The victims consist of 12 females and 10 males. They are from Delta, River, Edo, Abia, Imo and Kogi States and are within the age bracket of 8 – 38years.
Reacting to this development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli commended operatives of NAPTIP and the Nigeria Immigration Service in Kano and Katsina for a job well done.
Describing human trafficking as a crime against humanity and God she however, directed the NAPTIP operative to do everything possible to track down the traffickers involved the present activity.
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