NSCDC Intercepts Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues 14 Egypt, Israel Bound Victims

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have successfully thwarted a major human trafficking operation, leading to the rescue of 14 young Nigerian women and the arrest of two suspected syndicate members in Abuja.

A statement by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Afolabi Babawale, said the success was achieved when the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) quickly swung into action based on credible intelligence regarding a coordinated human trafficking effort aimed at moving unsuspecting victims to Egypt and Israel.

He revealed that the intelligence indicated that the victims were temporarily housed at the Odogwu Guest House in Gbesa, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), and were being prepared for immediate departure through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

Babawale said the NSCDC squad intercepted a Toyota Sienna bus attempting to move the victims to the Airport, leading to the immediate arrest of the two Nigerian collaborators and the rescue of the 14 victims.

He noted that “preliminary investigation revealed the depth of the trafficking operation. The victims, ranging in age from 19 to 47 years, comprised 11 Yoruba, one Igbo, one Igede, one Isoko woman.

“Thirteen (13) of the 14 victims were found in possession of international passports and yellow cards, but none had the necessary entry visa for the acclaimed destinations.

“The victims, who claimed to be fashion designers, makeup artists, and hairdressers, confessed to being lured with promises of better job opportunities in the destination countries.

“They further revealed that the arrested suspects were the Nigerian-based collaborators working for the principal agents who are based in the receiving countries.”

He disclosed that: “The arrested suspects, the crime scene, and all recovered exhibits have been thoroughly investigated by the Corps and immediately transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.

Babawale, in the statement, said: “The Corps wishes to restate its commitment to working in synergy with other security and anti-human trafficking agencies to combat this heinous crime.

“We call on members of the public to continue providing vital intelligence to enable the agency to deliver effectively on its mandate of protecting lives and critical national assets.”