By Mike Aladenika.
Barely two months after the rescuing of the much publicized victim of trafficking from Lebanon, the operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have rescued another two Nigerian trafficked victims from Beirut, the Lebanon Capital City.
NAPTIP is also reported to have arrested a Lebanese for allegedly aiding the trafficking of these victims.
According to Adekoye Vincent of the press unit, NAPTIP, the two victims were rescued from their task masters and brought back to Nigeria within 72 hours after their plights were brought to the attention of the Director General of the Agency, Dame Julie Okah – Donli.
The development came on the heel of the commendations from a cross section of International Partners, stakeholders and members of Civil Society organization both within and outside the Country who hailed the prompt response of the Federal Government of Nigeria and particularly the swift rescue mechanism of NAPTIP to the ordeal of the trafficked victims.
It would be recalled that after the much publicized case of the Kwara State – born victim of human trafficking who was rescued and brought back to Nigeria in January 2020, the Agency has rescued three other victims and also arrested some suspects including a Lebanese in connection with the incidents.
To the Lagos Zonal Commander of the Agency, Mr. Daniel Atokolo who coordinated the rescue operation, “the Agency received a distressed call concerning the two Nigerian girls.
The first victim who hails from Oyo State holds an NCE Certificate and was trafficked to Beirut in September, 2019.
The second victim who is from Ebonyi State was a sales girl in Lagos before she was deceived and trafficked to Beirut in September, 2019.
According to Lagos zonal commander, Daniel Atokolo, “Both of them travelled by air as their visas and other traveling documents were procured by the suspect.
Atokolo further said “Upon the receipt of the information, the Director General gave a directive that both of them must be rescued immediately. With the support of our partners in Lebanon and the Staff of the Nigeria Embassy in Beirut, they were rescued within 24 hours and we are happy that they are in Nigeria at the moment.
“The Agency also arrested a Lebanese in connection with incident while another suspect, David, believed to have played major role in the recruitment of the victims is now at large.
“Both victims are presently undergoing counselling while the Agency has commenced manhunt for the suspect that is at large”, Mr. Atokolo disclosed.
Reacting to the development, a stakeholder and members of Civil Society organization based in Europe, Mr. Denis Knot, lauded the swift response by NAPTIP describing it as a “ commendable life saving strategy”.
Denis Knot also commended the synergy between NAPTIP and other partners in the fight against human trafficking and sued for its sustenance.
Meanwhile the Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah–Donli, said the Federal Government has demonstrated a serious commitment toward the eradication of human trafficking in the Country through the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) thereby meeting the minimum global standard of compliance.
Dame Okah- Donli then called on parents to desist from mounting pressure on their wards and forcing them to travel abroad without any skill rather they should re-direct their attention to the abounding potentials in the Country.
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