The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested eight suspected members of a notorious human trafficking syndicate operating between Nigeria and Ghana, and rescued 29 victims during a raid on an apartment in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The operation, carried out following an intelligence tip from the Ghanaian Embassy in Nigeria, uncovered a trafficking network allegedly involved in sexual exploitation and cybercrime. The victims — 20 females aged 17 to 28 and nine males aged 18 to 30 were taken into protective custody after the raid.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had defrauded a Ghanaian victim of $3,500 under the guise of providing legitimate opportunities in Nigeria, only to confiscate his passport and belongings upon arrival. Intelligence from the Embassy triggered the operation under existing bilateral anti-trafficking cooperation frameworks.
Recovered items included international passports, mobile phones, SIM cards, and financial transaction records linked to trafficking activities. The rescued victims, whose temporary permits had expired, are currently receiving assistance at a safe shelter, while NAPTIP is engaging relevant diplomatic missions for their repatriation and reintegration.
Speaking on the development, NAPTIP Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, condemned the activities of the syndicate and vowed that traffickers will continue to face strict enforcement measures in Nigeria.
“This case highlights the transnational dimension of human trafficking and the vulnerabilities of individuals seeking better opportunities across borders. The swift intervention by the Agency, in collaboration with the Ghanaian Embassy, demonstrates the importance of timely intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement response,” she said.
She warned that traffickers will face the full wrath of the law, stressing that “the atmosphere in Nigeria will continue to be tough for them to operate. We shall continue to disrupt their operation, intercept and rescue the victims, and also prosecute them.”
The DG reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to justice for victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and strengthening national and international partnerships to end human trafficking.
