By Ebi Kesiena
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intercepted 13 girls suspected to be victims of human trafficking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, preventing their departure to Baghdad, Iraq, where they were allegedly being trafficked for sexual and labour exploitation.
This latest operation comes just a month after the agency rescued nine pregnant girls suspected to be victims of trafficking. The successful interception was made possible through collaboration with NAPTIP’s partners, according to a statement released on Thursday by the agency’s press officer, Vincent Adekoye.
The girls, aged between 19 and 39 years, were reportedly deceived and recruited by unregistered labour agents, suspected to be part of a larger human trafficking network operating between Nigeria and the Middle East.
In addition to this rescue, NAPTIP has also saved 11 underage girls allegedly targeted for sexual exploitation. The agency has since sealed off Three Stars Hotel in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, believed to be a hub for such illegal activities. The hotel owner has been arrested, while other staff members managed to escape.
Earlier, NAPTIP operatives raided a private apartment in one of Abuja’s upmarket estates, rescuing nine pregnant girls, further highlighting the scale of human trafficking operations in the country.
The interception of the Iraq-bound girls was prompted by a tip-off from concerned individuals who noticed suspicious movements at the airport departure lounge, where the girls appeared hesitant and responded identically to various questions about their destination.
Meanwhile, NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, who witnessed the interception of the first group of five girls while travelling for an official engagement in Adamawa, condemned the traffickers’ tactics and urged parents and guardians to be vigilant against fake promises luring young girls into exploitation.
