 has led to the dismantling of a suspected international human trafficking syndica, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the rescue of 20){kind=link}
A joint operation by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has led to the dismantling of a suspected international human trafficking syndicate, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the rescue of 20 victims.
The victims, trafficked from Equatorial Guinea and Togo into Nigeria for forced labour, were rescued during the coordinated raids, which took place across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, and Osun states, according to a statement issued in Abuja by NAPTIP spokesperson Vincent Adekoye.
The suspects are believed to be part of a well-structured criminal network operating within Nigeria, targeting vulnerable individuals from neighbouring countries.
Adekoye explained that the arrests were carried out following a directive from NAPTIP’s Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, instructing intensified monitoring and surveillance in border communities to curb rising trafficking activities.
He noted, “The agency, in partnership with other law enforcement bodies, has scaled up efforts to crack down on transnational trafficking groups. The victims reported that they had been misled with promises of lucrative employment in Nigeria, only to be exploited upon arrival.”
He added that many of the victims were preparing to transit to European destinations when they were intercepted.
In a separate operation, NAPTIP, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal, rescued a Nigerian woman who was trafficked and abandoned in Kidira, Senegal.
The victim had reportedly been lured with a promise of employment as a hair stylist and makeup artist.
Upon arriving in Senegal, she discovered that her supposed employer, identified as ‘Madam Rose,’ was involved in trafficking children and women for sexual exploitation.
When the victim resisted prostitution, her identification documents were seized, and she was left stranded.
Adekoye described the victim’s experience as deeply traumatic, noting that she suffered psychological abuse and was in distress when NAPTIP operatives received her at the Lagos Command.
Reacting to the developments, NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu-Bello, praised the inter-agency collaboration that made the operations possible.
She said the agency is intensifying efforts to expose and dismantle organised trafficking rings that operate across West Africa.
“These criminals trick victims from neighbouring countries into Nigeria with fake job promises. Once here, they strip them of any identification and cut off communication, then subject them to various forms of abuse,” she said.
Adamu-Bello emphasized that such operations would continue across the country, with similar efforts already underway in other states.
She extended appreciation to Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their continued support.
Commenting on the victim rescued from Senegal, Adamu-Bello revealed that the woman was a university graduate and mother of one.
“She was lured by someone posing as a helper offering her a well-paid job. What she encountered instead was a nightmare. We’re grateful she made it back alive, though deeply traumatised.”
She said a manhunt is ongoing for ‘Madam Rose’ and that NAPTIP is working with law enforcement agencies to bring her to justice.
So far, a total of 21 victims have been rescued from neighbouring countries in the past week, according to the agency.