No fewer than 22 victims of human trafficking have been rescued in Niger republic on their way to Libya.
Briefing newsmen in Sokoto, the Commandant of the National Agency for Prohibition of trafficking in Persons (NATIP), Sokoto Zone, Abubakar Bashir said the victims were apprehended in Niger republic by Nigerien security personnel.
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Bashir explained that the rescued persons, who are between the ages of 15 and 20, are mostly from the southern states.
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“The young Nigerians were apprehended in Niger republic while trying to cross into Libya. The Niger security personnel arrested and handed them over to Nigerian security at Illela border. The rescued victims were later transferred to NAPTIP Sokoto Zonal office for further investigation.
“We have launched investigation with a view to finding out the remote courses of trafficking these young Nigerians to Libya. I want use this medium to assure Nigerians that whoever is found wanting in this dastardly act will certainly face the wrath of the laws.
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“It is unfortunate the majority of parents of the victims were culprits in trafficking the rescued persons. However, no stone will be left unturned in the course of unveiling those behind trafficking these young Nigerians in order to pay the consequences of their actions,” he said.
Bashir assured that the rescued persons will be reunited with their respective families as soon as the agency complete its investigation, while the culprits will be charge to court for violating human trafficking laws.
