- The NSCDC said the victims were intercepted at the Zuba Motor Park in Abuja while the agency was acting on a tip-off
At least ten persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking and allegedly being prepared for migration abroad have been rescued.
The individuals were rescued by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the Federal Capital Territory in the process of finalising their travelling arrangements.
The NSCDC said the victims were intercepted at the Zuba Motor Park in Abuja while the agency was acting on a tip-off.
The victims, one male and nine females, had just returned from Minna, Niger State, where they had purportedly gone to process their passports as directed by their sponsor when the NSCDC officials swooped in.
The victims, aged between 24 and 34, all claiming to be from Ondo State. Each of them had paid N80,000 for the procurement of their passports, according to a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Samuel Idoko, on Monday.
The suspects were promised migration abroad for ready-made jobs, particularly in North Africa and Canada, by an unidentified sponsor residing in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
“The victims were accosted at the Zuba Motor Park, Abuja, by officers of the command, following a tip-off on their return from Minna, Niger State, where they had gone to process their international passport as directed by their sponsor.
“It was gathered that each of them paid N80,000 to facilitate the procurement of the international passport.
“They also confessed to being promised migration abroad to undertake ready-made jobs, especially in North Africa and Canada by a yet-to-be-identified sponsor who, according to them, resides in Okitipupa, Ondo State,” the statement noted.
The FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, warned against the risks of illegal migration abroad.
Odumosu cautioned individuals to be wary of promises of a brighter future, highlighting the risk of exploitation and enslavement.
“Be careful of the types of people that are promising you a better future abroad; don’t be desperate because some of them end up ruining your lives.
“They deceive you and collect huge sums of money from you, claiming there are ready-made jobs, whereas you may end up in slavery or forced to be sex workers.
“If you must travel abroad, follow the right channel that will give you peace of mind; don’t allow somebody to seize your passport abroad and place you under an oath that you will regret,” he warned.
The victims were handed over to the NAPTIP for further investigation and appropriate legal action.
The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking and urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to trafficking or illegal migration.
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