Seven Victims of Human Trafficking Rescued in Nigeria Days Before They Were Set to Be Transported to Baghdad
NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed that the raid was executed based on intelligence gathered from concerned stakeholders who noticed suspicious activities within the hotel.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - According to a report from Nigerian-based newspaper The Nation seven victims of human trafficking were rescued from a hotel near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, just days before they were set to be transported to Baghdad, Iraq. The operation, carried out by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), resulted in the arrest of the hotel manager, who was taken into custody during a raid.
NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed that the raid was executed based on intelligence gathered from concerned stakeholders who noticed suspicious activities within the hotel. Observers had reported the unusual movement of young girls and unfamiliar men, sparking concerns about a potential human trafficking operation.
According to Adekoye, the victims had been promised caregiving jobs in Iraq but were instead being prepared for exploitation. The individuals, six of whom were recruited from Lagos and one from Delta State, had been misled by traffickers who promised them legitimate work opportunities but ultimately intended to force them into slavery.
This rescue comes amid increasing efforts by NAPTIP to combat human trafficking in the region. In recent months, over 60 suspected trafficking victims have been intercepted at Abuja Airport, attempting to travel to volatile and war-torn countries in the Middle East.
Adekoye emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and collaboration between agencies, noting that the identities of the recruiters behind this latest case remain unknown, but investigations are ongoing. The agency urges the public to remain alert to signs of trafficking and report any suspicious activities.