The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano Zonal Command, has taken custody of 12 rescued victims of human trafficking, all women aged between 15 and 50.
Zonal Commander Abdullahi Babale confirmed the development on Monday in Kano while receiving the victims from the Kano State Hisbah Board, which carried out the rescue operation in collaboration with the agency.
The victims were intercepted on 31 August at Karota Luxurious Park, Hotoro Western Bye-Pass, as they travelled en route to Ghana and onwards to Saudi Arabia for suspected labour exploitation.
According to Babale, the women, who came from Kano, Katsina, Borno, Jigawa and Zamfara states, were deceived with false promises of job opportunities abroad.
One suspect, Mohammed Saleh, 45, was arrested in connection with the case, while efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the trafficking network.
“The rescue and arrest follow the directive of the NAPTIP Director-General, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello, to intensify intelligence gathering and crack down on suspected traffickers,” Babale stated.
He praised the Commander-General of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, and the Kano State Government for their support in combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable citizens.
Babale said the victims would receive counselling and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families, stressing NAPTIP’s victim-centred approach.
He urged parents to remain vigilant, warning that traffickers exploit economic hardship to lure victims with promises of greener pastures abroad.
“We call on the public to report any suspicious movement or activities related to trafficking in their communities,” he added.