Nigerian Navy rescues 9 Benin, Ghana-bound trafficking victims

Thursday, October 17, 2024 -The Nigerian Navy’s Badagry unit in Lagos State has handed over nine suspected human trafficking victims to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

The Base Information Officer, Lt. B.C. Awodeyi, confirmed the handover, in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the Forward Operating Base of the Navy transferred the victims to NAPTIP.

She said that the interception of the victims took place between October 11, and 13, 2024.

“At around 4:21 p.m. on October 11, 2024, the Base Quick Response Team, deployed at the T-Junction in Badagry, intercepted a fibre boat carrying passengers from Mile 2, Lagos to Panshi Jetty,” Awodeyi explained.

“During a routine stop and search at the jetty, the QRT discovered five young women among the passengers who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking,” she added.

According to her, after further questioning, the women, aged between 19 and 32, revealed that they did not know their final destination.

“They said they had been given a contact number to call upon arrival at Panshin, where someone would take them to the Republic of Benin and Ghana with promises of a better life.

She explained that the Navy rescued the five women and took them into custody.

Awodeyi further stated that two days later, on October 13, 2024, at around 3:15 p.m., another fibre boat carrying passengers was intercepted by the same QRT at Tongeji Island, Badagry, also en route to Panshi Owode.

“Four young women, aged 19 to 24, were also discovered on board, suspected of being trafficking victims.”

Awodeyi added that the interception of the victims of trafficking was similar to the first group, saying the women were unaware of their destination and had been instructed to call a contact number upon arrival, with plans to transport them to Guinea and Togo.

The Nigerian Navy handed over all nine victims to NAPTIP’s Ikeja Zonal Office in Lagos on Tuesday for further investigation and potential prosecution.

“This action follows the Harmonised Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution of 2016,” Awodeyi noted.

She added, “The sustained efforts by the FOB Badagry highlight the Navy’s unwavering commitment to ensuring maritime security within its Area of Responsibility, in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive 2023-2026. This aims to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”