The Police in Katsina State have rescued thirteen victims of human trafficking and arrested two suspected human traffickers.
The rescued victims who include ten women and three men are all from the Southern part of the country.
The victims and the two suspected traffickers were intercepted in Mashi on Wednesday and brought to Katsina on Thursday evening.
The spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah who confirmed the development,disclosed that the victims were being taken to Libya through the Niger Republic when the police team intercepted them.
He said, “When our operatives intercepted them (the victims and the suspected traffickers) at Mashi, they claimed to be on their way to Libya as some agents were already waiting for them there. We shall, however, take the victims to the hospital for medical check-up and thereafter contact their relatives. The two suspected traffickers would be subjected to further investigation to see whether we can nail other members of their gang.”
The rescued victims are Taibat Bello, 2 (Kwara); Bukola Martin, 27 (Ondo); Mansura Azziz, 21(Osun); Funmilayo Adetunji,18 (Ondo); Emel Oluchi, 24(Anambra); Zainab Ala, 23 (Delta); Gift Uche,19 (Lagos); Tayo James,19 (Lagos); Nafisa Asimiu, 21 (Lagos); Oriyomi Abdul, 24 (Ogun); James Olusegun, 24(male, Benue); Adetunji (no surname), 36 (male, Lagos) and Emmanuel Gabriel, 21 (male, Akwa Ibom).
The police spokesman gave the names of the two suspected traffickers as Salman Sani, 35 and Muntari Magaji, 35 who are both from Babua Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
Magaji, in an interview with newsmen, disclosed that he and his colleague were working for another traffickers who is based in Libya.
He said tthe victims had not paid any money for the botched trip, adding that the arrangement is for them(the victims) to work for a year in Libya to offset their bills.
One of the rescued victims, Taibat Bello said situation in Nigeria forced her to take the step.
She said, “I haf been assured of getting a good job in Libya, hence my decision to consider travelling to the country. It is also true that we agreed to offset our bills to our agents afternoon we begin work in Libya.”
