The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested a 43-year-old man identified as Abubakar Adodo from Fagge Local Government Area for allegedly attempting to traffic two women from Katsina State to Somalia through the Benin Republic.
The suspect was apprehended alongside the victims, 22-year-old Hajara Ismail from Funtua and 33-year-old Bilkisu Haruna from Kofar Marusa, at a motor park in Kano while preparing to board a vehicle to Lagos, where they intended to continue their journey out of the country.
According to the Deputy Commander-General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Mujahid Aminudeen Abubakar, the arrest was made after concerned citizens alerted the agency about the suspicious movement of the trio.
“We received credible intelligence from vigilant residents about a possible human trafficking attempt, and our officers immediately swung into action,” Sheikh Abubakar stated.
“The swift response by our Motor Parks Operations unit prevented what could have been another tragic case of human exploitation.”
He explained that initial investigations revealed that the women had been deceived with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, unaware they were being trafficked.
“Human traffickers are becoming more deceptive by the day, often preying on the desperation of young women seeking better opportunities,” the Hisbah official added.
“We urge families and communities to be more watchful and report any suspicious activities.”
The suspect and the two women have since been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Hisbah Board reaffirmed its commitment to working with other security and anti-trafficking agencies to curb the rising cases of human trafficking in Northern Nigeria.
“Our collaboration with NAPTIP and other law enforcement bodies remains strong,” Sheikh Abubakar said. “Protecting vulnerable people, especially women, is one of our key responsibilities.”
Authorities say the incident highlights the growing need for public awareness on human trafficking networks operating across West Africa, often using Nigeria as a transit route.