NIS rescues 8 suspected victims of human trafficking

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 8 suspected victims of human trafficking at the Idiroko border in Ogun.

The NIS Controller in charge of the border, Mr Sunday Fagbamigbe, handed over the victims to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP), Mrs Comfort Agboko.

Fagbamigbe, while handing over the suspected victims on Tuesday at the border, said they were intercepted on March 25 at 8.30p.m on their way to Ghana through an illegal route at the border.

“The suspects are Ernest Femie, 18 years; Itseuman Steven, 32 years; Sunday Vwede, 24 years; Uwadiae Osarumuese, 25 years; and Uche David, 20 years.

“Others are Emmanuel John, 20 years; Osepoklo Sunday, 27 years; Anpa Kingsley, 24 years and Gafari Azeez, 22 years, all males.

“Four of the suspects are from Edo State, two are from Anambra State, One is from Ebonyi State and one is from Oyo State,” he said.

According to him, the victims took off from Benin in Edo and planned to escape to Ghana.

“However, the officials of NIS intercepted them why trying to escape through an illegal route at the border.

“ Also, several laptops and phones were siesed from them,” he added

Fagbamigbe warned Nigerians and non-Nigerians who mapped out Idiroko as an escaped route for their criminal activities to desist from using the route.

“NIS, under the watch of the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Mr Idris Jere will expose them,” he said.

The eldest of the suspects, Itseuman Steven, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) that they were on their way to Ghana to seek greener pastures.

The new NAPTIP commander in the Lagos zone promised that the agency would conduct a proper investigation into the mission of the suspected victims and take appropriate action.