The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has handed over 52 suspected victims of human trafficking to the Zamfara State Government after they were intercepted while being transported to Abuja for mining work.
The individuals, from Anka and Talata-Mafara local government areas, were initially arrested by the Nigerian Army and later transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation. The suspected trafficker, identified as Bilyaminu, remains in DSS custody.
Ishaq Anka, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Substance Abuse Control and Prohibition of Human Trafficking Agency, stated that the victims were lured with promises of paid labor.
“You can see their condition—they have no money and nothing with them. Although we are in the fasting period, I sympathize with them because they have been eating only once a day, drinking only water,” Anka said.
He explained that the victims were investigated for three days before being handed over to the state government. “After their arrest, they were investigated for three days and transferred to the Department of State Services. They conducted their investigation and then handed the victims over to NAPTIP in Abuja. It was NAPTIP that contacted us to inform us about the victims they wanted to return to the state government,” he added.
One of the victims, Hamza Shuaibu, defended Bilyaminu, stating that he was merely trying to help them find work. “He was helping us. We know the government is doing everything to protect its citizens, and we thank the Zamfara State Government for rescuing us. We appeal for the release of our leader, Bilyaminu, because he did not break the law,” Shuaibu said.
The Zamfara State Government has also issued a warning to residents, especially those in rural areas, to be cautious of false promises of better opportunities elsewhere.
