The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has received 105 Nigerians rescued in a coordinated operation against cybercrime syndicates in Ghana.
A statement issued on Monday by the agency’s Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Mr Vincent Adekoye, says the rescue operation was in tandem with President Bola Tinubu’s citizen-focused policies.
Adekoye said that the operation was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) after the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana contacted NAPTIP.
He said that NAPTIP led the participating Nigerian Security and Law Enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
Others are the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
He said that the development was hailed by a cross-section of stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations and collaborating international organisations.
Adekoye said the development underscored the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the safety of Nigerians, especially victims of human trafficking and irregular migration.
He quoted the Ghanaian government as saying that 119 Nigerians were rescued during the operation, of which 105 were repatriated, while the remaining 14 are being processed.
The statement also quoted the Director-General of NAPTIP, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, while receiving the survivors on-behalf of the Federal Government welcomed the returnees and assured them of their safety.
She encouraged them to remain calm while the Federal Government carries out profiling and reintegration processes, adding that NAPTIP’s engagement with the returnees reflected the agency’s commitment to protecting their dignity.
Adamu-Bello said that NAPTIP was committed to safeguarding their welfare and ensuring that each person received assistance suited to their individual circumstances.
She expressed NAPTIP’s appreciation to the Ghanaian authorities, particularly the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana, Ghana Immigration Service, and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) for its operational support.
“The agency specially thanks the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, and all partners whose collaboration made the operation a huge success.
“NAPTIP reaffirms its commitment to strengthening national and international cooperation against human trafficking and related forms of exploitation.
“It will continue to ensure that individuals identified during such operations receive appropriate screening, protection and support according to their circumstances,” Adamu-Bello said.
The NAPTIP boss urged Nigerians to exercise serious caution when considering employment, scholarships or other opportunities abroad.
He specifically warned Nigerians to beware of offers that make unrealistic promises, give vague job descriptions, or involve suspicious recruitment arrangements.
(NAN)
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