Posted by By GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka on
Luck ran out on three human traffickers on Tuesday as they were intercepted with their victims by men of Anambra State Command on their way to Lagos.
Luck ran out on three human traffickers on Tuesday as they were intercepted with their victims by men of Anambra State Command on their way to Lagos.
The incident which took place in Ogidi, Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State, saw the eagle-eye policemen arresting the traffickers and rescuing 23 teenagers.
The victims who were deceitfully being conveyed in a lorry and another vehicle were said to be between the ages of eight and 18.
Said to be from one of the South-South states, the victims were deceived with a promise of lucrative jobs in Lagos. According to police source, the teenagers alleged that the three traffickers promised to offer them well paying jobs and better accommodation and other welfare packages but were not told of their destination.
When contacted, the Assistant Police Commissioner in charge of Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the state Police Command, Mr. Chris Ezike, confirmed the incident, adding that the victims were actually from Cross Rivers State. He said the command was already making efforts at establishing contacts with the relatives of the victims.
He, however, stated that the victims would not be exposed to media camera for some security and strategic reasons, adding that investigations have commenced on the cartel behind the illegal business.
Also confirming the incident to Daily Sun, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fidelis Agbo (DSP), said the police would hand over the matter to the National Agency for The Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).
Agbo also said that the driver of the lorry told police that somebody in Lagos asked him to convey the people to Lagos where they would be employed.