The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has handed over 52 suspected victims of human trafficking to the Zamfara State Government after they were intercepted en route to Abuja for mining work.
The individuals from Anka and Talata-Mafara local government areas were arrested by the Nigerian Army before being transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation. The suspected organiser, identified as Bilyaminu, remains in DSS custody.
The Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Substance Abuse Control and Prohibition of Human Trafficking Agency, Ishaq Anka, said the victims were lured with promises of paid labour.
“You can see their condition. They don’t have money; they don’t have anything. Though we are in the fasting period, I sympathise with them because they feed once a day, only taking water,” Anka said.
He said the victims were investigated for three days before being handed over to the state government.
“After arresting them, they were investigated for three days, and they were handed over to the Department of State Services, where they conducted their findings and handed over the victims to NAPTIP Abuja. It was NAPTIP Abuja that called us to inform us that there were some victims they wanted to return to the state government,” he said.
One of the victims, Hamza Shuaibu, defended Bilyaminu, claiming he was only trying to help them find work.
“He was helping us. We know the government is doing everything to protect its citizens, and we thank the Zamfara State Government for rescuing us. We appeal for the release of our leader, Bilyaminu, because he did not violate the law,” he said.
The Zamfara State Government also warned residents, particularly those in rural areas, against falling for false promises of better opportunities elsewhere.
