The Nigerian Navy’s Badagry unit in Lagos State has rescued nine suspected human trafficking victims and handed them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The victims, all young women, were intercepted by the Navy during two separate operations between October 11 and 13, 2024.
Lt. B.C. Awodeyi, the Base Information Officer, confirmed the handover in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Awodeyi, the Navy’s Quick Response Team (QRT) carried out the interceptions at the T-Junction in Badagry, while performing routine stop-and-search operations on fibre boats heading to Panshi Jetty.
“At around 4:21 p.m. on October 11, 2024, the Base Quick Response Team, deployed at the T-Junction in Badagry, intercepted a fibre boat carrying passengers from Mile 2, Lagos to Panshi Jetty.
“During a routine stop and search at the jetty, the QRT discovered five young women among the passengers who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking,” she stated.
Awodeyi further stated that the women, aged between 19 and 32 were unaware of their final destination but had been instructed to call a contact number upon arrival, where someone was to transport them to the Republic of Benin and Ghana under the promise of better opportunities.
“They said they had been given a contact number to call upon arrival at Panshin, where someone would take them to the Republic of Benin and Ghana with promises of a better life,” she added.
Awodeyi said a second interception occurred on October 13 when another fibre boat carrying passengers was stopped at Tongeji Island.
Four additional women, aged between 19 and 24, were found and also believed to be trafficking victims. Similar to the earlier group, they did not know their destination and were headed towards Guinea and Togo.
She said the Navy handed all nine victims over to NAPTIP’s Ikeja Zonal Office in Lagos for further investigation and potential prosecution.
“This action follows the Harmonised Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution of 2016,” Awodeyi noted.
Lt. Awodeyi praised the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, stating the Navy’s dedication to ensuring maritime security within its jurisdiction as part of the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive for 2023-2026.