NSCDC Rescues 14 Women, Arrests Two Suspects In Failed Trafficking Attempt To Egypt
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have dismantled a human trafficking ring in Abuja, and rescued 14 young women and arrested two suspected members of the syndicate.
According to a statement by CSC Afolabi Babawale, Corps national Public Relations Officer, the rescue followed swift action by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), which acted on credible intelligence that indicated that the victims were being prepared for illegal transportation to Egypt and Israel.
The agency said the victims were being housed at Odogwu Guest House in Gbesa, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), with plans to move them through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).
The operatives intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle attempting to convey the women to the airport, which led to the arrest of two Nigerian collaborators and the rescue of all 14 victims.
Babawale said preliminary investigations exposed the scale of the operation. The victims, aged between 19 and 47, consisted of 11 Yoruba, one Igbo, one Igede and one Isoko woman.
The 13 of them possessed international passports and yellow cards but lacked valid entry visas for the intended destinations.
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The women, who identified themselves as fashion designers, makeup artists and hairdressers, told investigators they had been deceived with promises of lucrative job opportunities abroad.
They also revealed that the arrested suspects were working with principal traffickers operating from the destination countries.
The NSCDC confirmed that the suspects, the crime scene and all recovered items had been documented and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further interrogation and prosecution.
Reiterating its commitment to combating human trafficking, the Corps urged Nigerians to continue supplying actionable intelligence to support ongoing efforts to protect lives and safeguard national assets.