Immigration rescues five human trafficking victims in Lagos

A recent operation by the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Lagos Seaports and Marine Command led to the rescue of five individuals who had fallen victim to human trafficking. The operation took place at the Pashi checkpoint in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Comptroller Mohammed Saddiq, who heads the command, shared this information during a press conference held on Thursday. He revealed that the victims were intercepted along with a woman named Mrs. Blessing Anireta, aged 26, who lacked any form of identification or legitimate means of livelihood.

The operation was conducted on Wednesday at around 9:30 am, and preliminary investigations unveiled that three of the victims, originating from Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau states, had been transported from their hometowns under false pretenses. They were promised legitimate employment opportunities in countries like Mali, Benin Republic, and Cote d’Ivoire.

During questioning, the victims, all first-time travelers, disclosed that they were introduced to a member of the trafficking syndicate based in Lagos. This individual organized all the logistics for their journey to the intended countries. Unfortunately, at the time of the press briefing, this key syndicate member remained at large. However, efforts were being made to locate and apprehend him, along with other accomplices involved in the trafficking scheme.

Saddiq shared that two of the victims, who had been accompanied by Anireta from Delta State, revealed that they had been coerced into embarking on the journey without their parents’ knowledge or consent. Their testimony affirmed that they were en route to Mali when they were apprehended by immigration personnel at the Pashi checkpoint.

Further investigations established that Anireta had facilitated this ill-fated journey with the intention of forcing her companions into prostitution in their destination countries. The victims, whose ages ranged between 15 and 23, are slated to be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, along with the apprehended suspects, for continued investigation and appropriate actions.