Army rescues 300 human trafficking victims

Posted by admin Armed Forces, Headlines Monday, July 30th, 2012

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika
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The Kogi State Army Commandant of Quick Respond Group Team, Maj. Gen. Alphonsus Chukwu, on Sunday said the team rescued no fewer than 300 human trafficking victims.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lokoja, he said the victims, who came from Benue State, were rescued along Itobe-Ajaokuta and Okene Road on Saturday during a ‘stop and search’ operation.

He added that the victims comprised children and adults both male and female.

Chukwu said the ages of the children ranged from 10 to 15 years while the adults were above 18 years, adding that they were heading to Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states.

He said many of them were incoherent when questioned while some said they were going to seek holiday jobs.

Chukwu said it was shocking when buses were stopped for search and over 300 passengers were heading for the same destination in suspicious circumstances.

On Friday, a human trafficking suspect, Mr. Sunday Agbo from Benue State, was arrested by the task force with 10 children comprising boys and girls.

During interrogation, Agbo allegedly said he had been in the trade for close to a decade.

He further claimed that the alleged trafficking was done with the consent of the children’s parents.

He said the parents were paid N5, 000 per child with the promise that their children would be assisted to secure jobs as house-helps in Lagos and other states.

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