Rita Odafe
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Sokoto State has detained a man named Sirajo Illela, suspected of human trafficking, and has saved two women who were being trafficked to Libya.
This information was released by Mr. Tony Akuneme, the comptroller of the Illela Border Command, through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Mohammed, on Wednesday in Abuja. The suspect was apprehended at his residence in the Yar Kara area during an operation on February 12.
The two women, identified as Maryam Akinosi, 40, from Ogun State, and Olatunde Abidemi, 26, from Oyo State, were discovered without credible travel documentation.
Initial inquiries indicate that the women were en route to Libya.
Mr. Akuneme noted that Sirajo Illela had been sought after by both the Immigration Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
He has a history of assisting illegal human trafficking routes through the Illela border area.
In handing over the suspect and the victims to NAPTIP, Akuneme emphasized NIS’s determination, under the guidance of Comptroller General Kemi Nandap, to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling in the country.
“Our goal is to secure our borders and to hold accountable those involved in such illegal acts,” he stated.
The NAPTIP Commander in Sokoto expressed gratitude to the NIS for their assistance and dedication to addressing human trafficking issues during the handover of the suspect and the rescued individuals for further investigation and legal proceedings.
