In a significant crackdown against human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) successfully orchestrated a major operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The intensive six-hour raid, personally led by NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, resulted in the arrest of five suspected human traffickers and the rescue of 24 victims.

According to Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP’s spokesperson and National Press Officer, a retired senior security officer, alleged to be a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate, was among those apprehended. This high-profile suspect, formerly with a foremost law enforcement agency in Nigeria, is believed to be deeply involved with a syndicate recruiting from several states across the South-West region of Nigeria. The operation itself was hailed as a continuation of NAPTIP's intensified anti-human trafficking efforts, targeting recruitment hubs and trafficking routes.

The rescued victims, predominantly aged between 15 and 26 years, had been recruited from diverse Nigerian states including Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers. Their intended final destinations spanned across the Middle East and North Africa, specifically Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan. The traffickers lured these young Nigerians with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad, often leading them to believe they were heading to safer or more prosperous regions like Europe.

Disturbing accounts from the victims shed light on the pervasive deception tactics employed by the syndicate. One young woman recounted how her father convinced her of a job at a supermarket in Baghdad, without disclosing that Baghdad is located in Iraq—a country she knew to be in crisis. After watching awareness clips depicting the harsh realities faced by stranded Nigerians abroad, she expressed profound anger towards her father for his deceit, stating, “I know that Iraq is not a good place to work for now due to the crisis there, but I did not know that Baghdad is in Iraq. I thank the DG and her officers for rescuing me.” Another victim similarly narrated how her parents happily allowed her to follow traffickers who promised work and dollars in Europe, while some victims could not even communicate in common languages or know their intended country.

Director-General Binta Bello unequivocally condemned the escalating activities of illegal recruiters and traffickers who exploit the desperation of young Nigerians. She emphasized NAPTIP's commitment to intensifying surveillance, not only at international airports but also at motor parks and coastal areas, which are frequently exploited by traffickers. DG Bello highlighted that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport has become a “comfort zone” for these illicit activities, prompting NAPTIP to increase its focus there. She expressed amazement at the involvement of a retired law enforcement officer in trafficking his own daughter, deeming it “incredibly unbelievable.”

The Director-General affirmed that all arrested suspects would undergo thorough investigation and face prosecution under the full extent of the law. Concurrently, the rescued victims will be provided with comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to help them recover from their ordeal. DG Bello extended gratitude to the Director General of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Manager, and personnel from the Department of State Service (DSS), Airport Security, Immigration Officers, and airline operators for their crucial support and collaboration, underscoring that human trafficking is a national concern requiring collective action to protect Nigerians from all forms of exploitation.