The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says it has rescued five victims of human trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire.

Abdullahi Adamu, the comptroller of the area command, disclosed this at a press conference on Friday.

He said the Nigerian Immigration Attachés in Côte d’Ivoire, in collaboration with the Nigerian community in that country and some other partners, worked tirelessly to identify and rescue the victims.

Mr Adamu added that the immigration service provided critical support and assistance to ensure their safe return to Nigeria.

“These girls, aged between 17 and 21, were trafficked on June 15, 2024, to Côte d’Ivoire using irregular routes by notorious traffickers.

“The traffickers lured them with promises of better jobs in Cote d’Ivoire.
They were later subjected to emotional abuse and forced into prostitution,” he said.

The comptroller said the victims are currently receiving counselling and other necessary support.

He said the command would hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Lagos to reunite them with their families and take further necessary actions.

Mr Adamu, however, said the traffickers are currently on their watch list for possible arrest.

“This operation is a testament to the commitment of the comptroller-general of the immigration service, Kemi Nana, in combating smuggling of migrants, human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable migrants,” he said.

Security agencies present at the conference include officials from Port Health, Nigeria Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and their Béninois counterparts.

(NAN)