In furtherance of its crackdown on human trafficking, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) conducted a raid on a well-known hotel in the 33 area of Onitsha, Anambra State, resulting in the arrest of four suspected traffickers and the rescue of 17 alleged victims.
According to Vincent Adekoye, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, NAPTIP, the operation, executed with the support of military personnel, also led to the apprehension of two individuals believed to be involved in the buying and selling of babies within the South East region of Nigeria.
Tragically, four of the rescued victims were reported to be HIV-positive and are currently receiving counselling from a team of caregivers from NAPTIP, alongside volunteers from the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA).
Recently, NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, issued a stern warning to human traffickers, promising to make 2026 a challenging year for those who continue their illicit activities.
This latest operation was prompted by credible intelligence provided by a non-state actor in Anambra State, which highlighted the presence of underage girls in the facility and the health status of the victims following a voluntary screening and proper counselling.
Residents in the area had previously expressed concern over the disturbing activities associated with the hotel, which contains 45 rooms and has seen a steady influx of men seeking illicit encounters with underage girls.
During the operation, some victims were discovered engaging with clients, while others were found dressed in scanty clothing, seemingly waiting for their next customers.
Interrogations revealed that the victims had been recruited from various states, including Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom, and trafficked to Onitsha for prostitution. Victims reported that they each hand over between N20,000 to N25,000 daily to their “Madam” after servicing approximately five men in multiple encounters each day.
One victim recounted, “It was my boyfriend who told me about a job opportunity in Onitsha. Upon my arrival, the Madam sent someone to pick me up, and I was introduced to this life. She promised that if I worked for her and paid N20,000 daily, at the end of the year, she would buy me a box of assorted clothes and give me N500,000 so I could start my own life. I don’t do this willingly, but I felt it was too late to turn back.”
Another victim, whose health is compromised, remarked, “When they came to test us here, many faced dire circumstances.”
The operation marks a crucial step in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, underscoring the importance of continuous vigilance and enforcement to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.”
Another Victim whose status is compromised stated that “When the people care here to test us. They told me that I have been infested, and they advised me and my friends that we need to start treatment to flush out the infection. They gave us medicine.
“But, after they left, our Madam beat us seriously because we came out of the rooms to see the people who tested us. She collected the medicine they gave to us and warned us that we should never go out for any treatment again. I cried and cried for hours, and the more I cried, the more she beat me.” the victim lamented bitterly.
Speaking on the development, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed sadness over the plights of the victims and most especially their deteriorating health status.
“I want to sincerely thank the Military in Onitsha for their support to NAPTIP during this operation, and also the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team (GHR-SRT) domiciled under the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA) in the Office of the Governor who provided timely intervention and collaboration that led to the rescue of the underage girls.
“I am most devastated by the health status of the rescued victims and the action of their so-called Madam who not only collected the Antiretroviral medicines that were given to them by the good spirited Organization that visited the hotel, but also prevented them from assessing any further medical opportunity. This is a criminal act and NAPTIP has launched a manhunt for her.
“The Agency has also invited the Owner of the Hotel for interrogation with a view to determining the next sanction on the facility.
“As said few weeks ago, NAPTIP shall continue to double its efforts and scale up activities to ensure a good chase for the human trafficking criminal elements in the Country”, the NAPTIP Director General stated.
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