Lifestyle

Suspected human trafficking syndicate busted in Abuja sting operation

No Comments

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested two suspects in Abuja over alleged human trafficking.

The suspects are Awulonu Franklin and Joseph Ukaluo.

The agency’s director-general, Fatima Waziri-Azi, disclosed on Friday that officers of the agency busted the trafficking syndicate on June 9 at about 11:00 a.m.

She said the suspects are part of a syndicate that specialises in moving young female Nigerians between 16 to 26 to India for sexual exploitation and possible organ harvesting.

Ms Waziri-Azi said a sting operation was conducted after several days of undercover activity by operatives of the agency.

She said two female victims between 16 and 22 were rescued just as they were taken to the embassy.

The DG disclosed that the suspects forced the victims to swear an oath of allegiance in two shrines in Delta and Imo.

Ms Waziri-Azi stated that one of the victims also revealed how her very close friend, who had already been trafficked to India, was subjected to having sex with a minimum of 10 men daily.

She further said the agency was on the trail of the suspects’ accomplices in India.

The DG said that the two suspects, who claimed to be operating a mobile tour company at the time of their arrest, were found in possession of 28 passports.

She said some passports indicated that the victims were from Ghana, the Republic of Benin, Niger Republic and other countries.

Ms Waziri-Azi listed other materials found in the suspects’ possession as laptop, phones, which are under forensic examination, and other equipment related to the commission of the crime.

She disclosed that 10 letter-headed papers belonging to different companies were also recovered from the suspects.

The DG said the agency had placed the hotel where the victims were harboured on red alert as money was paid on behalf of the victims.

She said the agency had collaborated with many organisations and governments to launch a fresh angle to the fight against crime.

However, Mr Franklin, believed to be a prime suspect in the offence, denied involvement in trafficking, saying he only operates a travel and tour company through which he had assisted many people.

He said some passports recovered belonged to some of his clients travelling to study in some countries, including a University in India.

“My company is registered as ‘Endless travel and tour agent’, and I have been in this business since 2018,” he said.

Mr Ukaluo also said he knew Mr Franklin as a travel agent and nothing more than that, adding that they had both lived in the same neighbourhood for many years.

Daniel Atokolo, Director, Investigation and Monitoring Department, told journalists that an investigation is ongoing into the matter.

Lifestyle

NAPTIP dismisses five officers for soliciting bribe from human trafficking suspects and other serious misconduct

No Comments

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has dismissed five personnel, including a Deputy Director, for various offences.

The offences range from corruption; demanding and receiving bribes from suspects and relatives; leaking confidential information to suspects that endangered the lives of colleagues; violation of oath of secrecy; stealing and alteration of official records, and absence without official leave.

According to a press statement on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, signed by the agency’s press officer, Vincent Adekoye, these offences are all contrary to provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations.

He disclosed that two other officers were demoted by two ranks for soliciting bribe from a suspect of human trafficking, while one officer was demoted by one rank for negligence of duty.

Adekoye said the disciplinary actions followed the approval of the Governing Board of the Agency at its meeting on May 25, 2023, noting that at that meeting, the Board considered and ratified the decision of the Agency’s Senior Staff Committee (SSC), which earlier sat on the disciplinary matters in accordance with the Public Service Rules and other extant laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Sokoto has convicted a law enforcement officer and sentenced him to prison.

He was convicted on a two-count charge of trafficking, contrary to Section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act (2015) and was sentenced to 5 years on each count.

Lifestyle

NAPTIP arrests cultists in Abuja over sextortion

No Comments

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has arrested cultists in Abuja perpetrating gruesome acts of sextortion.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by NAPTIP spokesman Vincent Adekoye.

The statement said the arrests followed intense surveillance and undercover operations ordered by NAPTIP director-general Fatima Waziri-Azi, in response to several complaints.

NAPTIP added that the arrest was a breakthrough for the agency in its efforts to address issues of sextortion and nip it in the bud in Nigeria.

It explained that the group was known for perpetrating gruesome acts of sextortion and terrorising young girls, other Abuja residents, and its environs.

He recalled that the agency had recently been inundated with a series of complaints from victims of sextortion who had been blackmailed with a plea for assistance.

According to the anti-trafficking agency, sextortion is a crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute nudes and private videos of another person and when that person refuses to grant them sexual favours or pay them money.

It, however, said it was sexual exploitation where the perpetrator used coercion and threats to compel the victim to produce sexual images or videos engaging in sexual acts, revealing that the crime was punishable under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (as reenacted).

“The shame, fear, and confusion victims feel when caught in this cycle often prevent them from asking for help or reporting the abuse,” said Ms Waziri-Azi.

She advised young girls to be wary of this trend and protect themselves by reporting cases of sextortion to NAPTIP.

“Do not be gaslighted into thinking it was your fault. It is a crime and a crime against you. Report all perpetrators. If you do not report, you are emboldening these criminals, and what happened to you will definitely happen to someone else,” the NAPTIP chief stated.

She added;

“Parents, please support your children if they report cases of sextortion to you. Do not revile them. A lapse in judgment should not lead to condemnation. If you or someone you know is a sextortion victim, you can help stop the harassment by reporting it to NAPTIP. Save all conversations, chats, or messages between yourself and the perpetrator.”

The NAPTIP boss urged sextortion victims “not pay or share more of your sexual images with them” and warned that “your webcam or recording devices can be activated remotely.”

“Never have your phone or other electronic camera devices pointed at you while undressing or in a position you would not want to share with the world. Be smart and stay safe,” stated Ms Waziri-Azi.

Lifestyle

NAPTIP rescues 36 Europe-bound Nigerians, 12 Ghanaians, from human traffickers

No Comments

The Kano State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), has rescued 48 human trafficking victims who were on their way to various countries in Europe, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The victims, according to the Command’s Zonal Coordinator, Abdullahi Babale, comprised of 36 Nigerians and 12 Ghanaians who were being trafficked to Europe and other African countries for prostitution and other menial jobs.

According to Babale, the Nigeria Immigration Service, Jigawa Command, in collaboration with the police in Niger Republic, rescued and handed the victims over to NAPTIP.

“The victims who are between the ages of 14 and 30, mostly females, consists of Nigerians mainly from Anambra, Benue, Edo, Kogi, Osun, Ondo and Rivers, and 12 Ghanaians from different parts of the West African country.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that all the victims were being trafficked to different European countries where they were meant to engage in prostitution and other menial jobs.

“Currently, they are undergoing counselling in a shelter and will be handed over to their various states and countries at the end of the counselling program,” Babale said.

Entertainment

NAPTIP arrests Nigerian woman for trafficking girls to India for prostitution

No Comments

The National Agency for the Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arrested a Nigerian woman, Joy Shandy Okah, for allegedly trafficking three girls to India to engage in prostitution.

According to the agency, Okah was arrested on Tuesday in collaboration with the New Delhi City Police who also rescued the three victims trafficked from Nigeria.

Describing Okah as a serial international human trafficker, NAPTIP said she would pick vulnerable girls and force them to swear to an oath before taking them to Asia country on the pretext of engaging them in legitimate jobs.

A statement signed by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, said Okah was arrested after one of the girls blew the lid on her.

The National Agency for the Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arrested a Nigerian woman, Joy Shandy Okah, for allegedly trafficking three girls to India to engage in prostitution.

According to the agency, Okah was arrested on Tuesday in collaboration with the New Delhi City Police who also rescued the three victims trafficked from Nigeria.

Describing Okah as a serial international human trafficker, NAPTIP said she would pick vulnerable girls and force them to swear to an oath before taking them to Asia country on the pretext of engaging them in legitimate jobs.

A statement signed by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, said Okah was arrested after one of the girls blew the lid on her.

Close Menu

Privacy Policy