The Nigeria Immigration Service Command in Jigawa has successfully rescued 10 individuals suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
This was revealed by the NIS Comptroller in the state, Mr. Tahir Musa, during a press briefing in Dutse on Tuesday.
According to Musa, the victims were intercepted on Sunday at the Tsamiyar Kwance area in Babura Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out by the command’s Operation Salama team, occurred at 1:00 p.m. while the victims were en route to Niger Republic as part of their journey to Europe.
The group, consisting of two men and eight women aged between 21 and 30, hailed from various states: six from Ogun, two from Ondo, one from Oyo, and another from Imo.
“Upon their interception at Tsamiyar Kwance and subsequent profiling and interrogation, they confessed to us that they were moved from different locations to Kano state, then to Babura on their way to the Niger Republic en route Tripoli in Libya,” Musa disclosed.
The comptroller further explained that the victims’ ultimate plan was to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to reach Europe.
He cautioned parents to be vigilant and guide their children to avoid falling prey to traffickers who lure victims with false promises of a better life abroad.
Highlighting efforts to curb irregular migration, Musa credited the pragmatic leadership of the NIS Comptroller-General, Mrs. Kemi Nandap, and the support of the Jigawa government.
He affirmed that their collaboration has been instrumental in significantly reducing human trafficking activities in the state.
The rescued victims have since been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons or further investigation and necessary actions.
