NO fewer than 18 trafficked persons have been rescued by officers of the Nigerian Navy at Rijiyar Lemu in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State.
Also, two suspected human traffickers were arrested during an operation carried out on Saturday by the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College’s internal security team.
The Navy in a post on its official Facebook page on Monday night said the rescue and arrest were made following a tip-off from one of its officers whose sister was among those being trafficked.
It partly read, ” The Nigerian Navy rescued 18 victims of human trafficking at about10 pm on Saturday at Rijiyar Lemo in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State.
“The rescue was done sequel to a tip-off from an officer in the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College, Dawakin Tofa whose sister was being trafficked through Kano en route Libya and France. Upon receipt of the information, the NNFLC internal security team swung into action.
“The team localised Rijiyar Lemu and Bachirawa areas where detailed reconnaissance led to the rescue of the victims who were housed in an uncompleted building. Furthermore, two of the suspected traffickers were arrested while others are at large.”
The Navy said the victims and suspects had been handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for further action.
“Accordingly, the victims were kept in the custody of the College where medication and other necessary attention were offered. Also, the Kano Zonal office of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related matters in Kano was informed.
“Consequently, the suspects and victims were handed over to NAPTIP for interrogation and further necessary action on Monday 6 February 2023,” the Nigerian Navy added.
