The Nigerian Navy’s Badagry unit in Lagos State has turned over nine alleged human trafficking victims to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
Lt. B.C. Awodeyi, the Base Information Officer, acknowledged the handover in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the victims were delivered to NAPTIP from the Navy’s Forward Operating Base.
She stated that the victims were intercepted between October 11 and October 13, 2024.
“At around 4:21 p.m. on October 11, 2024, the Base Quick Response Team, deployed at the T-Junction in Badagry, intercepted a fibre boat carrying passengers from Mile 2, Lagos to Panshi Jetty,” Awodeyi explained.
“During a routine stop and search at the jetty, the QRT discovered five young women among the passengers who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking,” she added.
According to her, following additional interrogation, the women, ranging in age from 19 to 32, disclosed that they were unsure of their final destination.
“They said they had been given a contact number to call upon arrival at Panshin, where someone would take them to the Republic of Benin and Ghana with promises of a better life.
She said that the Navy rescued and detained the five ladies.
Awodeyi went on to say that two days later, on October 13, 2024, at about 3:15 p.m., the same QRT detained another fibre boat carrying people at Tongeji Island, Badagry, which was also on its way to Panshi Owode.
“Four young women, aged 19 to 24, were also discovered on board, suspected of being trafficking victims.”
Awodeyi stated that the victims of trafficking were intercepted in a similar manner to the previous batch, with the ladies unknowing of their destination and ordered to phone a contact number upon arrival, with plans to send them to Guinea and Togo.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian Navy turned over all nine victims to NAPTIP’s Ikeja Zonal Office in Lagos for further investigation and prosecution.
“This action follows the Harmonised Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution of 2016,” Awodeyi noted.
She added, “The sustained efforts by the FOB Badagry highlight the Navy’s unwavering commitment to ensuring maritime security within its Area of Responsibility, in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive 2023-2026. This aims to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”