The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested three suspected human traffickers and rescued five victims from them.
The Comptroller of the command, Ajisafe Joshua Olusola, while parading the suspects and victims, said they were picked by operatives of NIS of the Kongolam Control Post and Farin Gida Patrol Base of the service in Daura.
Olusola gave the names of the suspected traffickers as Emeka Gideon Okaeri, Obinna Emmanuel and Obumese Murphy Obi. The rescued victims are Francis Hillary, Emmanuel Justina, Ugochukwu Chilaka, Okike Daniel and Daniel Chinoso.
He said preliminary investigation carried out showed that Emeka was in Libya for the past nine years and had been a frequent traveller between Nigeria, Niger Republic and Libya. “Emeka represents a cartel that is based in Libya and Nigeria who specialise in smuggling and trafficking in persons.
“Justina and Chinoso were connected to Emeka by one man who is presently residing in Libya. This very man is the one sponsoring the victims’ journey while Emeka is the one facilitating the journey,” Olusola added.
He said the suspects and victims would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation, counselling, training, rehabilitation and prosecution as the case may be.
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