Kwara Governor Wades Into Human Trafficking In State

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has waded into the rising cases of human trafficking in the country, particularly his state after three suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

AbdulRazaq, who waded into the matter following a video footage of one Ajayi Omolola, a victim of human trafficking, called on security agencies to get to the root of the matter.

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In a statement issued on Friday by his Spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor condemned the rising trend of kidnapping in the country and warned that anyone caught should face the full weight of the law.

“The Governor of Kwara State is horrified by the video footage of one Ajayi Omolola, who is a victim of human trafficking. Omolola, whose parents live in the Kwara State capital Ilorin, was tricked into travelling to Lebanon in the guise of engaging her as an English tutor. It turned out to be a case of human trafficking and slavery,” the statement read in part.

“The Governor condemns this development in the strongest terms possible, and has immediately linked up with the security agencies to get to the roots of the matter. We are glad to announce that three suspects, comprising two Nigerians and the Lebanese referred to in the footage, have been arrested in connection with the case and the suspects are being interrogated. Apart from Ajayi, discreet investigations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State have revealed that there are at least 28 other victims of this horrible trafficking gang.

“The three suspects so far arrested are a Lebanese named Wasit Muhammad; one Olatunji Sanusi, a lawyer; and one Tunde. The gang also included one Joseph who is presently at large. The case is soon to be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). His Excellency, meanwhile, is also linking up with relevant federal government and international agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), to ensure that Ms Ajayi and others are released from this human bondage. He also commends the NSCDC for the great work so far done on this matter,” the statement added.

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While expressing his concern that human beings were engaging in another round of slavery, the governor declared that Kwara will never tolerate such inhuman and unlawful trade and requested citizens to expose any of such activity that they may know of.  

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