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2018 World Cup: NAPTIP rescues 10 victims, arrests 5 suspects

2018 World Cup: NAPTIP rescues 10 victims, arrests 5 suspects
By Mustapha Sumaila
Trafficking
Abuja, June 10, 2028 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has intercepted and rescued 10 Nigerian youths who were being trafficked to Moscow and Russia.
The Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Mrs Stella Nezan, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
Nezan explained that they were intercepted on Saturday night at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in an operation code named “Operation BLOCK’’, while trying to board a Turkish Airline flight to Russia.
She said that the victims used the 2018 World Cup tagged “Russia 2018’’ as cover for travelling to Russia.
According to her, the rescued victims comprise of nine young girls and one boy.
She stated that five of the rescued persons were from Edo, three from Delta, one from Imo and the other from Benue.
The spokesperson said that eight of them reside in Benin City while the other two reside in Warri and Osogbo, respectively.
She added that it was from these locations that they were moved simultaneously on Friday to Lagos with FIFA Fan Identity card for the journey to Russia.
Nezan said that five suspects including a Police Sergeant and a Quarantine Officer were also arrested as they were caught coordinating the movement of the victims.
She gave the names of the arrested suspects as Esan Matthew (Policeman), Stephen Fayemiwo (Quarantine Officer), Azeez Olowo, Idowu Fashakin and Eni Godwin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that that the Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, had two weeks earlier alerted the public on plans by criminal gangs to use the 2018 World Cup to recruit Nigerian youths to Russia for exploitation.
Okah-Donli announced then that operatives of the agency were working on some intelligence gathered and were on the trail of the criminal gangs and their potential victims.
The spokesperson explained that “on Friday the potential victims commenced their movement to Lagos from their various locations to meet their recruiters as they had agreed.
“And NAPTIP operatives who have been following their communications followed them up until they were stopped at the point of departure at the Airport and those involved in recruiting them and facilitating their journey were arrested.
“Four of the victims arrived Obalende, Lagos, at various times on Friday from Benin City, Edo State, to a place called Sura Market and kept in a room in a shanty at the Sura area of Lagos.
“Our operatives who followed them kept vigil at that location until Saturday at about 3 p.m when the movement to the Airport commenced.
“The gangs used two Lagos yellow painted taxis. One taxi carried two potential victims with a young man later identified as Azeez Olowo sitting in the front passenger’s seat while the second taxi also carried two other victims with a young man later identified as Idowu Fashakin also sitting in the front passenger’s seat.
“Upon arrival at the International Airport at about 5.25 p.m, the four potential victims alighted with their luggage and the two suspects that accompanied them.
“The two suspects, Idowu Fashakin and Azeez Olowo, started making phone calls while the four victims were standing by a corner outside the departure hall for over one and half hours awaiting further directives.
“Shortly after, Azeez Olowo met and held discussions with one man who was eventually identified as Eni Godwin. Later on, one Mathew Esan who was later identified as a Police 0fficer went to meet with Eni Godwin who was standing a few metres away from the four victims.
“And had a chat with him for a while. Thereafter, Matthew Esan went to the girls and held discussion with them and the situation was like that of a teacher addressing his students,” she explained.
According to her, not too long after the meeting, one Stephen Fayemiwo who was later identified as a Quarantine Personnel came to meet the girls where they were sitting outside the departure hall, addressed them and handed to each of them their travel documents.
She said that the documents included their International Passports, Russian 2010 FIFA ID Card and Turkish Airline tickets.
Nezan explained that after that he led them into the departure hall and facilitated their check-in at the Turkish airline counter where he was eventually arrested.
She said that his arrest was simultaneously done with the other four persons who had NAPTIP operative marking them closely.
“Stephen Fayemiwo (Quarantine Officer) was arrested beside the Turkish Airline Counter, Mathew Esan (Police officer) and Idowu Fashakin were arrested beside the passage queue of Turkish Airline, while Eni Godwin and Azeez Olowo were arrested outside the departure hall by Gate D entrance.’’
She disclosed that the team also rescued five other potential victims who were refused boarding by the Airlines because they had only one way ticket to Russia.
Nezan said that the male amongst the victims was stopped because his sponsor in Russia is linked to one of the five female victims rescued.
She added that the operation was supported by officials of the Aviation Security (AVSEC), Department of State Service (DSS) and the Joint Border Task Force (JBTF), which NAPTIP is a member.
According to her, the agency is still on the trail of some other facilitators and the sponsors in Russia while investigation is ongoing.
The spokesperson quoted the director-general of expressing delight over the success of the operation.
“The agency will not give human traffickers any opportunity to use the World Cup to ferry Nigerians out into a life of misery abroad.
“Agency has been vindicated on the alarm it raised she called on all law enforcement agencies working in all the nation’s International Airports and other entry points as well Airline officials to be on red alert to pick out criminals and potential victims in order to save Nigerian youths from exploitation.
“I am urging law enforcement agencies to collaborate with NAPTIP in making the 2018 World cup free of trafficking of Nigerians,” Okah-Donli said. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NAPTIP, foreign counterparts burst human trafficking gang, rescue 39 in Spain

NAPTIP, foreign counterparts burst human trafficking gang, rescue 39 in Spain
By Mustapha Sumaila
Trafficking
Abuja, March 23, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has disrupted activities of a crime gang, Eiye Confraternity, in Spain.
Mr Josiah Emerole, Head Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, said in a statement in Abuja on Friday that the feat was recorded in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the British Government and Guardia Civil, Spanish Law Enforcement Agency.
Emerole disclosed that 39 women victims of sexual exploitation were rescued in the operation.
He explained that the international investigation into the organised criminal network began when a victim made a report to the Spanish authorities, detailing how she arrived in Spain along with a number of other girls.
According to him, the victims, all Nigerian nationals, and many under the age of 18, are believed to have undergone ‘Voodoo-Juju’ rituals in Nigeria to coerce them and comply with any order given by the gang leaders.
He said that they were then moved by boat to Libya and Italy, before arriving in Spain.
“The women are forced to live in cave-like houses, in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, unable to leave and sexually exploited for the sole purpose of financial gain for the gang leaders, with all money eventually ending up in their hands in Nigeria.
“The money is said to be laundered through the honour-based Hawala system, popular with organised crime gangs.
“Investigators showed the gang had numerous women under their control working as prostitutes to pay off their debts with Eiye Confraternity, upwards of 30,000 Euros each for the cost of moving the victims into Europe,’’ he stated.
The NAPTIP spokesperson noted that NCA officers worked with partners to develop intelligence on the network, including carrying out surveillance on those suspected to be involved.
The partners also worked with NAPTIP colleagues to build up information about the scale of the abuse and exploitation.
He added that the investigation was by NAPTIP investigators who were members of the British assisted Joint Border Task Force (JBTF) who travelled to Spain to participate and support the Guardia Civil and NCA during the arrest phases.
Emerole quoted the Deputy Director, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking of NCA, Tom Dowdall, saying “a total of 89 people including the leader of the gang have been arrested on suspicion of association to criminal organisations, modern slavery and money laundering.
“43 remained in prison in Spain, following raids at 41 addresses across the country in November last year.
“On Jan. 16, NCA officers also arrested an alleged Nigerian Madam living in Middleton, Greater Manchester, believed to be controlling some of the victims in Spain, and paying money to the Organised Criminal Gang (OCG) back in Nigeria.
“She remains in custody awaiting extradition to Spain where she faces prosecution.’’
Emerole described Eiye Confraternity as highly organised crime gang, exploiting young women for lengthy periods of time, keeping them in horrendous conditions where they knew there would be no escape.
The spokesperson quoted the Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli expressing satisfaction with the outcome of the joint operations.
She said that the outcome was in line with her vision of pursuing human traffickers who were Nigerian nationals to any part of the world where they would operate.
“Like I said in my maiden news conference, if we miss them on their way out they will meet us waiting for them on arrival at destination,’’ she said.
She also expressed appreciation to the British and Spanish law enforcement agencies for the confidence reposed on NAPTIP agents in working together in such joint operations. (NAN)
MS/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Dapchi school girls: Mrs Saraki optimistic of rescue

Dapchi school girls: Mrs Saraki optimistic of rescue
NAN-HG-5
Abduction
By AbdulFatai Beki
Ilorin, Feb. 28, 2018 (NAN) The wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Oluwatoyin Saraki, has expressed confidence in the ability of the Federal Government to rescue the over 110 Science Secondary School girls abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents at Dapchi, Yobe.

Mrs Saraki, who is the President of Well-being Foundation in Africa, expressed her optimism while fielding questions from newsmen during a visit to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly on Wednesday in llorin.
She recalled efforts at rescuing Chibok girls by the federal government and expressed confidence that the committee inaugurated to investigate and recover the abducted students would deliver on its mandate.
“It is very hard to describe how I am feeling as a woman and as a mother for the abducted Yobe girls after the sufferings during the Chibok girls, but I am optimistic that they will be rescued within a short time,” Mrs Saraki said.
She advised Nigerians to complement the effort of the federal government by more vigilance and prompt report of arrival of strangers in their communities to law enforcement agencies.
The wife of the senate president advocated a data bank for women and children in Nigeria to enable government and NGOs cater for their health needs.
She commended the state legislature for passing some bills aimed at further improving the lives of women, children and vulnerable in the state.
Mrs Saraki pledged the readiness of her foundation to continue to partner with the State Government to further improve the health needs of residents.
Responding, the Speaker of the House, Dr Ali Ahmad, commended Mrs Saraki for providing healthcare services needs and humanitarian gestures of residents of the state since 2004.

Ahmad, who noted that government alone cannot cater for the needs of the masses, solicited for sustained support from the foundation in providing qualitative healthcare services to the residents of the state. (NAN)
BEKl/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Rescue: Army confirms killing of 3 kidnap suspects in Kogi

Rescue: Army confirms killing of 3 kidnap suspects in Kogi
NAN–H–41
Rescue
Lokoja, Feb. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of three kidnap suspects and a soldier
in Kogi during a rescue operation on Tuesday.

The spokesman of the Command Army Records, Lokoja, Capt. Weri Finikumor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone in Lokoja that some of the suspected kidnappers have been arrested and helping the military in its investigations.

Finikumor assured residents that operation “exercise cat race” was ongoing to curtail criminality and boost security in the state.

He said that the army would make details of the exercise public as soon as it was concluded.

NAN had gathered that a soldier and three suspected kidnappers lost their lives in Okene area of Kogi on Feb. 26 during a gun duel between some soldiers and a gang of kidnappers.

It was gathered that the gun duel ensued when the soldiers were attempting to rescue an oil magnate, Alhaji Momoh Otinau, from the suspected kidnappers that abducted him on Feb. 17.

Otinau was kidnapped in front of a mosque in Okene while relaxing with friends.

A relation of the kidnapped victim who has been negotiating with the kidnappers was said to have informed soldiers believed to be part of those prosecuting “exercise cat race” of his intention to go and drop a ransom for the kidnappers.

The soldiers then decided to follow him with the intention to rescue the victim and arrest the suspects.

This, however, proved fatal as the kidnappers on sighting the relation approaching the designated point with the armed soldiers immediately opened fire on them.

In the exchange of gun shots that followed, a soldier and three suspected kidnappers lost their lives while Otinau also sustained gunshot injury.

A source at the General Hospital, Lokoja, also confirmed to newsmen that the corpse of the soldier was deposited at the morgue. (NAN)
KKA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Human trafficking: NAPTIP rescues 14 victims at Nnamdi Azikiwe airport

Human trafficking: NAPTIP rescues 14 victims at Nnamdi Azikiwe airport
NAN-H-54
Arrest
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Feb. 15, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 14 victims at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the operation followed a tip off.
Emerole explained that the victims, who were rescued around the mosque at the airport, comprised of 14 women and two men.
“Officers of NAPTIP, following a tip-off, intercepted a group of 14 women between the ages of 15-60 years travelling to Saudi Arabia via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“The two agents from Kano who accompanied them on the trip had been arrested and detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Department of State Services as investigation is ongoing.
“The interception and arrest of two agents travelling with the women came as a result of a patriotic Nigerian’s observations of the women’s movement and activities at the airport.
“It is unclear yet as to the purpose of their trip to Saudi Arabia, though, in recent time, there have been increasing reports of exploitation being experienced by labour migrants in countries in the Middle East,” he said.
Emerole assured that NAPTIP would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that more Nigerians do not end up as victims of exploitative domestic servitude in foreign countries.
He said that the victims were being profiled at the NAPTIP headquarters to ascertain their proper and correct identities.
NAN checks revealed that that the suspects wanted to take the victims to their destination in Saudi Arabia through Abuja en-route Lagos before they were nabbed at the Abuja airport. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola