The Kano State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has conducted a successful operation resulting in the rescue of 13 victims of human trafficking.
The NSCDC State Commandant, Mohammed Lawal-Falala, confirmed this during a press briefing held on Tuesday in Kano.
The rescue operation, which took place on May 20 at Dan Tsinke Quarters in Tarauni Local Government Area, was initiated based on information received by the NSCDC.
Lawal-Falala disclosed that the victims, consisting of five women, three female children, a boy, and four men, were being trafficked to Cameroon under the guise of seeking better opportunities.
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“The information we received indicated that a man kept young female children in his house and trafficked them to Cameroon on the pretext of seeking greener pastures,” Lawal-Falala stated.
Prompt action by NSCDC operatives attached to the Tarauni Division led to the successful rescue of the victims. While one suspect has been apprehended for his involvement in trafficking, two prime suspects remain at large.
Lawal-Falala emphasized that the rescued victims, primarily from Kano and three from Jigawa, would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further action.
In a stern warning to potential perpetrators, Lawal-Falala urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, reaffirming the commitment of the NSCDC to maintaining a crime-free and secure environment in the state.
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He urged parents to safeguard their children against exploitation and prevent them from falling prey to traffickers.
In another development, the NSCDC boss also announced the arrest of a suspect involved in the theft of tricycles and handsets within Kano Metropolis.
Lawal-Falala disclosed that the suspect, apprehended on May 20, confessed to employing deceptive tactics, including feigning a leg injury to distract tricycle operators before stealing their vehicles.
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“We have received numerous complaints against the suspect regarding tricycle theft,” Lawal-Falala noted. The suspect admitted to stealing four tricycles and subsequently selling them in Katsina State.
The arrested suspects will face legal proceedings following the completion of investigations as the NSCDC continues its efforts to combat various forms of criminal activity within the state.