13 Iraq-bound Victims Intercepted By NAPTIP

Abuja, Nigeria – Thirteen (13) girls suspected to be victims of human trafficking en route to Baghdad have been intercepted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

As gathered on Tuesday, this is contained in a statement by the spokesman of the agency, Vincent Adekoye in Abuja.

The agency said that the girls whose ages ranged between 19 and 39 years, were intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.

NAPTIP said that the girls were allegedly deceived and recruited by some faceless unregistered labour recruiters who are suspected to be agents of a larger criminal labour recruiting gang operating between Nigeria and some Middle East countries.

”The interception of the Iraq-bound girls followed a tip-off by some concerned partners who noticed the unusual movement of some unknown faces at the departure lounge of the NAIA,” he said.

He said the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, who witnessed the interception, expressed displeasure over the incident.

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She said the level of deceit by traffickers was becoming worrisome, while calling parents and guardian to always be careful of fake promises for their children and wards.

“I wish to point out that our action is in line with the provision of the Trafficking in Persons (Control of Activities of Organisations and Centres) Regulations 2019, which empowers NAPTIP to issue clearance certificates to all travel agents or tour operators.

“NAPTIP regulation 2019 empowers the agency to issue clearance certificate to tour operator traveling for the purpose of educational excursions, recruitment for Labour, sporting activities, cultural, music excursions or competitions.

“It empowers us to issue clearance certificate to all organisations, shelters, and homes offering services for the purpose of rehabilitation of trafficked persons,” she said.

According  to her, the case at hand is pathetic because these girls are deceived and recruited for a supposed job in Baghdad by unlicensed labour recruiters who are not known to any constituted authority in Nigeria. (NAN)