By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has rescued seven young women from suspected traffickers at a hotel in Zamaru, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, the victims were being prepared for illegal travel to Baghdad, Iraq, where they would have been exploited.
The rescue operation was carried out following a tip off, leading to the arrest of the hotel manager for allegedly harbouring the victims.
Authorities had placed the hotel under surveillance after reports of unusual movements involving young girls and unidentified men raised suspicions of a trafficking ring.
The rescued women disclosed that six of them were brought from Lagos and one from Delta State.
They were lured with promises of well paying jobs as caregivers in Iraq but later discovered they were being trafficked.
NAPTIP Director General, Binta Bello, condemned the involvement of service providers in human trafficking and warned that the agency would deal decisively with anyone aiding the crime.
She added that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the trafficking network, suspected to have ties with criminals in Iraq.
