by Nurat Uthman
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says two suspects have been arrested while trafficking six victims from Lagos to Ghana.
Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, Abdullahi Adamu, controller of Seme command of NIS, said the suspects were intercepted while on patrol along the Kankon-Owode road in Badagry area of Lagos.
Adamu said the arrest was made by officers of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in collaboration with operatives of immigration.
“The six victims of human trafficking were intercepted by a combined team of Nigeria Air force and our patrol men along Owode border,” NAN quoted Adamu as saying.
“They were on their way to Ghana when they were stopped by the men of Nigeria Air Force and our men were invited, so we stepped in and evacuated them from where they were.
“They are four young men and two ladies, one of the ladies is from Enugu state while the other is from Kogi state.
“Two drivers and a 43-year-old Ghanaian suspected to be the trafficker were also arrested with them.”
He said the suspected traffickers were travelling to Ghana without valid documents.
He urged parents to be cautious of the whereabouts of their children, adding that it is important to have valid documents before travelling out of the country.
“Though one of the ladies told me this morning that her mother knew about her journey and even prayed for her but I think that prayer has not been answered,” he added.
“God has averted that prayer, immigration too averted those prayers.”
He said the suspected traffickers were travelling to Ghana without valid documents.
He urged parents to be cautious of the whereabouts of their children, adding that it is important to have valid documents before travelling out of the country.
“Though one of the ladies told me this morning that her mother knew about her journey and even prayed for her but I think that prayer has not been answered,” he added.
“God has averted that prayer, immigration too averted those prayers.”
He added that the victims would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) before they are taken to their various destinations.
