The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos state, on Friday handed over four suspected victims of human trafficking to National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Lt Bunmi Awodeyi, the Base Information Officer (BIO) representing Navy Captain Augustus Amakiri, the FOB Commanding Officer, during the handling over said the victims were intercepted on Oct.21.
According to her, at about 4.21.p.m, on Oct.21, FOB Badagry Quick Response Team (QRT) deployed at T-junction, Badagry intercepted a fibre boat with passengers en-route Panshi jetty from Mile 2, Lagos.
“During the routine stop and search of passengers by the QRT at the jetty, it was discovered that four young ladies suspected to be victims of human trafficking were among the passengers.
“Consequently, after much interrogation, the young ladies revealed that they were unaware of their destinations.
“But disclosed that they had been instructed to call a contact number written on a sheet of paper issued to them upon arrival at Panshin where someone would pick them up to Republic of Benin for a better life.
“The four suspected victims aged 19 to 24 years were rescued and kept in the Base custody,” she said.
The Base Information Officer said the handing over to NAPTIP for further investigation and prosecution is in line with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution (HSOP-AD&P) 2016.
She added that from July, 2024 to date, 43 young ladies had been handed over to NAPTIP and the Nigeria Immigration Service respectively.
“These sustained efforts of FOB Badagry demonstrates its unwavering commitment to maritime security within its Area of Responsibility (AOR).
“These are all geared towards complying with the Chief of Naval Staff Strategic Directive 2023-6 which is to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
The victims were later handed over to Mrs. Comfort Agboko, the NAPTIP, Zonal Commander, Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja, who promised to ensure proper investigation.
