By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Dutse
The Jigawa Command of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) has intercepted and rescued nine human trafficking victims, along Kazaure- Daura border check points in Jigawa State.
The Comptroller, Ahmed Dauda Bagari stated this while addressing a press conference in his office.
“I am here before you to parade the victims of human trafficking who were intercepted and rescued by our personnel along Kazaure – Daura road,” he said.
According to him, the victims were intercepted on Friday October 7, 2022 at about 1700hrs in Kazaure LGA as they were about leaving the country to Europe via Niger Republic and Libya.
“Personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service, after a tip-off/credible intelligence about the movement of the victims from Kano to Niger through Kazaure, mounted a stop and search exercise at our check point at Tsamiyar Ilu, in Kazaure LGA.
“However, on sighting the presence of our personnel, the driver attempted to evade interception by over-speeding and maneuvering around the check point, resulting into an accident, where some of the victims sustained minor injuries. They have all been treated at General Hospital Dutse.
“There was a total of nine (9) victims, made up of eight female and one male, all within the age bracket of 22 to 37 years. They hail from Enugu, Osun, Ondo and Ogun states of the country, and only one is in possession of an expired Nigerian Standard Passport.
“The victims are: Chidi Ken Ulanta (M) 37yrs (Enugu), Hafsat Folarin (F) 24yrs (Ogun), Sekinat Shotola (F) 24yrs (Ogun), Darasinmi Oyelekan (F) 24yrs (Oyo) and
Adewale Taiye (F) 28yrs (Osun),
Others are Olayinka Maryam (F) 28yrs (Osun), Adewole Modupe (F) 26yrs (Ondo), Okewole Temitope (F) 29yrs Ogun, and Tawakaltu Babatunde (F) 22yrs (Ondo).
“In the course of interrogation, the victims stated that, they were being conveyed from Kano State by a driver who would convey them to the border to Niger Republic. There were no incriminating items/drugs found in their possession.
“The CGIS Idris Isah Jere has directed that, the victims be handed over to NAPTIP, and also advised parents, guardian and the general public to desist from sending their children/wards abroad for non existing greener posture.
“Nigeria is far better than the so called greener posture abroad in form of freedom and other expectations.
“It is pertinent to state that, this trend of human trafficking has its inherent risks and dangers in the form of victims being exposed to slavery, forced labour, death in the desert and at sea, en route to their perceived destinations, and even organ harvest,” he said.
He also advised the general.public to report cases of human trafficking and other related criminal acts to the nearest security agencies.
