The Nigerian Navy’s Badagry unit in Lagos State has successfully rescued nine young women suspected of being human trafficking victims, subsequently handing them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The rescue operations took place between October 11 and 13, 2024.
Lt. B.C. Awodeyi, the Base Information Officer, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the Navy’s Quick Response Team (QRT) intercepted the women during routine stop-and-search operations on fibre boats headed to Panshi Jetty.
The first operation occurred on October 11, when the QRT, stationed at the T-Junction in Badagry, intercepted a boat traveling from Mile 2, Lagos. “At around 4:21 p.m., the team discovered five young women among the passengers, who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking,” Awodeyi stated. She added that the women, aged between 19 and 32, were uncertain of their destination and had been instructed to contact someone upon arrival, who would then transport them to Benin and Ghana with promises of better opportunities.
The second interception followed on October 13, at Tongeji Island, where another group of four women, aged 19 to 24, was found. This group, similarly unaware of their final destination, was reportedly bound for Guinea and Togo.
Lt. Awodeyi confirmed that all nine victims have been transferred to NAPTIP’s Ikeja Zonal Office in Lagos for further investigation and possible prosecution, in line with the Harmonised Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution of 2016.
She praised the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry’s continued efforts to combat human trafficking, underscoring the Navy’s commitment to maritime security as outlined in the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive for 2023-2026.
