NIS Arrests Five Suspected Human Traffickers In Oyo

As many as five persons were on Thursday paraded by the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Ibadan, The PUNCH reports.

It was learnt that the suspects were experts who lure unsuspected victims from Ghana to Nigeria with a promise to process their entry into Canada.

They were apprehended after three of their victims complained to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in Oyo State.

Addressing journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, the Controller, Mohammed Umar, said 10 suspects were initially arrested but it was further established that five were responsible for the act.

He said, “We successfully carried out a raid of suspected human trafficking syndicates here in Ibadan and the success is what we are showcasing today.

“Initially, 10 suspects were arrested but we were able to establish that five are experts in luring people mostly Ghanaians in disguise of bringing them into Nigeria, specifically Ibadan, then preparing them for a package that will enable them to travel to Canada.

“With that enticement, these victims submitted themselves, they came to Ibadan and found out it was a scam. Specifically, they came here intending to go to Canada only to be handed a business in the form of network marketing. Three victims complained and they approached NAPTIP and in collaboration with NIS, we were able to storm the area.”

The suspects were however handed over to the Head, NAPTIP, Oyo State, Akanya Augustine.

In his response, Augustine assured NIS that the suspects would face prosecution after the case had been fully investigated.

“We now have them in custody, so on behalf of the Director-General of NAPTIP, we are going to do due diligence and if the case is established, the prosecution will commence,” Augustine said.