The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related matters on Thursday said it has rescued 19 women at the Central Business District area of Abuja, who were allegedly being trafficked to Saudi Arabia. The Head of Public Relations, Josiah Emerole made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja.
He disclosed that eight of the victims who are indigenes of Kano state were rescued at a travel agent's office where they were taken to for data capturing and other relevant documentation. The statement further said three suspected traffickers were arrested from the office. He listed their names as Hamisu Ibrahim, Sanusi Usman and Sabiu Sule.
“Operatives have rescued 19 women who were being processed for a trip to Saudi Arabia for suspected domestic servitude. The rescue operation was a result of intelligence gathered about the impending trip, which also led to the arrest of the suspected traffickers.
“The suspects are officials of Kabo Travel and Tours Limited, which is based in Kano State. The victims were rescued from Vfs TasHeel International, Central Business Area, Abuja, where their agents had taken them to for data capturing preparatory to their journey to Saudi Arabia.
Other suspects working with Halal Travel and Tours Limited, who were part of the facilitators of the trip, are still at large and investigation into the case is ongoing. The arrests and rescue came on the heels of increased reports of exploitation being meted out to Nigerians who had gone to seek employment as domestic employees in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
The NAPTIP Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli, has warned that the suspects, if culpable, will be duly prosecuted.”
