The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received 231 Nigerians who are victims of human trafficking rescued by Ghanaian authorities, as the agency pledges to intensify its efforts to dismantle trafficking syndicates operating across West Africa.
The victims, comprising 227 males and four females aged between 15 and 18, were rescued from Kumsark Estate in Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra, by Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).
The operation, which took place on April 17, involved the search of 20 houses suspected to be used by traffickers, many of whom are believed to be Nigerians.
Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, represented by the Lagos State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Comfort Agboko, received the victims at the agency’s office in Ikeja.
She revealed that while many of the victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation, others were coerced into cybercrime activities.
“We are seriously disturbed by this development. Ghana and neighboring countries are increasingly becoming epicenters for human trafficking, especially cybercrime,” Bello said.
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“We have commenced discussions with our counterparts in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, The Gambia, and other countries in the region to restrategize and dismantle these organized criminal networks.”
Bello noted that the agency is currently profiling the returnees to assess their medical and psychological needs, provide support services, and determine their skills and reintegration requirements.
She attributed the traffickers’ shift to Ghana to NAPTIP’s ongoing clampdown on cybercrime syndicates in Nigeria, saying, “our cybercrime response team has disrupted their activities here, leading to several arrests.
“That pressure has forced them to relocate, but we will pursue them across borders.”
She emphasized that suspects identified among the returnees will be investigated and prosecuted under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2003, as amended in 2015.
The director general expressed appreciation to EOCO Ghana, the immigration service, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and other stakeholders for their continued support.
“The traffickers will be brought to justice,” she assured.
