The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has launched a strong campaign against organized human trafficking in the country. Their agents have captured two prominent individuals in Abuja who are believed to be the leaders of a cross-border human trafficking network operating in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
In a press release from agency spokesperson Vincent Adekoye on Thursday, he shared that the suspects, Emmanuel Igwe (32) and Ugochukwu Christian (30), were identified by some human trafficking victims currently stuck in Côte d’Ivoire. These victims talked to well-known human rights activist and social media figure Martins Vincent Otse, also called the VeryDarkMan (VDM), which led him to intervene and visit NAPTIP’s headquarters in Abuja.
Adekoye reported that the suspects were arrested in their large mansion located in a well-known estate in the Lugbe area of Abuja. This stylishly furnished home, filled with various devices, also serves as the gang’s headquarters and living space.
In response to the viral video that revealed their actions, the suspects contacted their victims and threatened to harm them if they did not keep their promise to engage in prostitution and pay the agreed amount of 2.2 million cefas.
Regarding the arrests, Binta Adamu Bello, the Director General of NAPTIP, stated that the agency is determined to break up all human trafficking networks that are recruiting, trafficking, and exploiting Nigerians anywhere in the world.
She said, “The capture of the two suspects is part of our carefully planned attack against human traffickers in the country. They belong to transnational criminal groups operating in the West African region, and we are glad to have apprehended them.
“I remember that during the visit from the VDM to our agency last week, we promised him that NAPTIP would take the necessary actions. We stand by that promise, and according to our mission, we will make it tough for them to operate in Nigeria.
“We have also set up the required systems and started talks with both state and non-state partners in neighboring countries, especially in Côte d’Ivoire, to rescue the victims who are trapped there.
“I want to sincerely thank all our partners and stakeholders, especially the VDM, for their support to the agency. He visited us last week, and from our conversation, it is clear he is very passionate about the country. He has shown this through his help with the evacuation of the victims.
“I want to make it clear that the time is up for human traffickers in Nigeria, as NAPTIP is ready to stop them unless they stop recruiting and trafficking our citizens.”
