By YANGE IKYAA

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intercepted and rescued a total of 104 victims of human trafficking in the last two weeks, arresting 8 suspects in the process.

This happened when operatives of the agency botched the illicit activities of a number of culprits who were sending the trafficked victims on their way to Europe through Libya.

Senator Basheer Garba Muhammed, who is the director general of NAPTIP, said “8 suspected human traffickers were also arrested in the process, just as efforts are on to apprehend other members of the trafficking syndicates who are at large.”

It would be recalled that the NAPTIP DG had given the regional directors, zonal commanders and state Commanders a marching order on effective surveillance within their areas of operation in order to forestall recruitment and trafficking of any Nigerians for any purpose.

He also tasked them on the need to scale up their sensitization and awareness activities in order to reduce the vulnerability of the people and expose the antics of human traffickers.

A breakdown of the figures of rescued victims under review shows that 80 victims were set free in Kano two weeks ago on their way to Libya, and the latest figure of 19 victims was also rescued in Kano few days ago.

According to the NAPTIP boss, the victims were on transit from Ondo, Ekiti, Delta, Anambra, Edo, Osun, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Ogun and Lagos States enroute to Rivers, Oyo, Osun, Delta and Ogun States then to Europe via Libya, and on receiving the information, a special operation was coordinated by NAPTIP Joint Border Task Force in collaboration with Katsina State Police Command and the 19 victims were rescued on August 18.

In his words, “no matter where the traffickers go to deceive and recruit victims, they will always meet us at the exit point. Their field days in the illicit business of human trafficking and child labour are over. We are determined to run them out of business and even send them to jail, unless they desist from their nefarious activities and find other legitimate venture to engage in.

“I wish to appeal to parent to desist from giving out their children for any unclear or unverified adventure. It is important to contact NAPTIP when confronted with juicy offer of help that entails taking your children abroad. Do not sell your children into slavery.”

He commended other sister law enforcement agencies for their collaboration with NAPTIP, which has resulted in the arrest of suspects and rescue of the victims.