NAPTIP rescues 12 females in Kano from human trafficking en route to Ghana and Saudi Arabia, with one suspect arrested

NAPTIP rescues trafficking victims in Kano after 12 females aged between 15 and 50 were intercepted en route to Ghana and Saudi Arabia for suspected labour exploitation.

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Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Abdullahi Babale, confirmed the rescue on Monday while receiving the victims from the Kano State Hisbah Board, which carried out the operation in collaboration with the agency.

The victims, hailing from Kano, Katsina, Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara states, were intercepted on Sunday at Karota Luxurious Park, Hotoro Western Bye-Pass.

They were being trafficked under the guise of seeking job opportunities abroad.

One suspect, identified as Mohammed Saleh, 45, was arrested in connection with the case, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the trafficking network.

Babale explained that the operation aligns with the directive of NAPTIP Director-General, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello, to strengthen intelligence gathering and dismantle trafficking syndicates across Nigeria.

He commended the Kano Hisbah Board, led by Commander-General Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, and the Kano State Government for their support in combating human trafficking.

The victims will undergo counselling and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families, in line with NAPTIP’s victim-centred approach.

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Babale also urged parents to remain vigilant, warning that traffickers often exploit economic hardship to lure victims with promises of greener pastures abroad.