The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Command in Jigawa State has successfully rescued 10 victims of suspected human trafficking during an operation aimed at curbing irregular migration. The NIS Comptroller in the state, Mr. Tahir Musa, made this known during a press briefing in Dutse on Tuesday.
The victims, aged between 21 and 30, were intercepted on Sunday in Tsamiyar Kwance, Babura Local Government Area, while allegedly en route to Europe through the Niger Republic and Libya. Musa revealed that the command’s Operation Salama team carried out the interception at 1:00 p.m. Based on preliminary profiling and interrogation, the victims confessed to being transported from various states in Nigeria, including Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Imo, with a stopover in Kano before proceeding to Babura.
Further investigation revealed that the victims were lured by promises of better opportunities in Europe, unaware of the dangers associated with such journeys. They were allegedly to cross into Libya through Niger and then make their way across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. The NIS Comptroller used the opportunity to caution parents against falling prey to deceitful narratives offered by human traffickers.
Musa credited the proactive leadership of the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs. Kemi Nandap, for spearheading efforts to eliminate irregular migration in Jigawa State. He also acknowledged the support of the state government in providing resources and infrastructure for tackling human trafficking.
The victims were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further action, including rehabilitation and reintegration. This collaboration between the NIS and NAPTIP underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the menace of human trafficking and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
Musa called on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities related to human trafficking to the authorities. He emphasized that such crimes undermine the nation’s integrity and put the lives of vulnerable individuals at significant risk.
