By ADEROGBA GEORGE

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has launched a major operation targeting an organised human trafficking syndicate. The agency?s Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said two high-profile suspects were detained by NAPTIP operatives in connection with the operation.

Both suspects, 33 and 30 years old, are believed to be key figures in a trans-border human trafficking ring operating across the West African sub-region and the Gulf of Guinea.

Adekoye disclosed that both suspects were identified by some victims who had been stranded in C?te d?Ivoire.

He said the victims had mentioned their names during conversations with human rights activist and social media influencer, Mr Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

This revelation prompted VDM?s intervention and his subsequent visit to NAPTIP?s headquarters in Abuja to report the matter formally.

The suspects were reportedly apprehended inside a lavish mansion located within a prominent estate in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The mansion, according to Adekoye, served as both a command base and residence for the trafficking syndicate.

He noted that the property was fully equipped with sophisticated devices and security systems, making the operation lengthy and complex.

He said in spite of this, two suspected victims of human trafficking were successfully rescued during the raid.

The agency revealed that preliminary investigations showed victims rescued from a human trafficking operation were coerced into taking oaths of secrecy and subjected to prolonged sexual exploitation by their recruiters.

Adekoye disclosed that one of the victims revealed they were recruited from an Eastern state of Nigeria and lured with the promise of a well-paying job in a thriving mall in C?te d?Ivoire.

?They told me I would be paid in foreign currencies and that I had to repay them 2.2 million CFA francs.

?They also took us to a shrine outside Abuja to swear an oath,? the visibly shaken victim recounted.

?I can?t remember exactly where it was, but we traveled for about three hours from Gwagwalada to the location.?

Adekoye added that the arrest of the suspects followed an escalation of reports and conversations on NAPTIP?s social media platforms, as well as credible intelligence from a sister security agency that helped pinpoint their location.

He recalled that VDM visited the NAPTIP headquarters on April 10, to express concern about the victims stranded in C?te d?Ivoire.

He pledged to support the agency?s efforts to rescue the victims and create public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking.

Adekoye noted that VDM later shared a viral video exposing the suspects and their operations.

In the video, the traffickers were seen threatening the victims with violence should they refuse to engage in prostitution or fail to repay the promised sum of 2.2 million CFA francs.

Reacting to the development, NAPTIP Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, reaffirmed the agency?s determination to dismantle human trafficking networks across the country and beyond.

?The arrest of these two suspects is part of our strategic crackdown on trans-border trafficking syndicates operating in the West African region,? she said.

?During VDM?s visit last week, we assured him that NAPTIP would act swiftly?and we have kept that promise.

?In line with our mandate, we will make it extremely difficult for traffickers to operate in Nigeria.?

Adamu-Bello added that the agency had initiated discussions with both state and non-state actor in neighbouring countries, especially C?te d?Ivoire, to facilitate the rescue of stranded victims.

She expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, especially VDM, for his passionate support.

?He has shown a deep commitment to the welfare of fellow Nigerians, and his actions have greatly aided our efforts,? she said.

The director-general assured that a full investigation was ongoing, saying that all suspects, including any accomplices, would face prosecution if found culpable. (NAN)

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