Immigration Rescues 9 Human Trafficking Victims In Jigawa

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Jigawa State Command has on Friday rescued nine victims of human trafficking in the state.

Mr Ahmed Bagari, the state’s NIS controller, disclosed this when he briefed newsmen about incident in Dutse on Saturday.

Bagari said the victims were rescued at about 5 p.m. on Friday by the men of the command operating on Kazaure-Daura axis, in Kazaure Local Government Area.

He explained that the victims, aged between 22 and 37 were intercepted and rescued on their way to Europe en route Niger Republic and Libya.

The comptroller added that the victims, comprising one eight females and one male, are from Enugu, Ondo Ogun and Oyo states.

“Personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service, after a tip-off/credible intelligence about the movement of the victims from Kano to Niger through Kazaure, mounted a stop and search exercise at our check point at Tsamiyar Ilu, in Kazaure LGA.

“However, on sighting the presence of our personnel, the driver attempted to evade interception by speeding and manoeuvring around the check point resulting into an accident where some of the victims sustained minor injuries.

“And they have all been treated at General Hospital Dutse,” the comptroller said.

According to him, only one of the victims is in possession of an expired Nigerian Standard Passport, adding that no incriminating items or drugs were found in their possession.

Bagari said the victims would soon be handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), while the driver of the vehicle was handed over to the police for further action.