The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully intercepted a group of 12 trafficked individuals, including children, who were en route to Lagos State.

The interception took place in Abuja, and the victims have been handed over to the Nasarawa State government for further assistance and support.

Moses Unongo, NAPTIP’s head of operations in the state, revealed that the victims, aged between 10 and 23 years, were enticed by a religious leader from Ninghar village in Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa.

The religious leader had made false promises of lucrative jobs in Lagos and a quality education for the underage victims, luring them into the trafficking scheme.

Unongo emphasized that investigations are currently underway to gather more information about the perpetrator and urged parents to educate their children about the perils of trafficking.

NAPTIP remains dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public to prevent individuals from falling prey to trafficking.

Aisha Rufai Ibrahim, the commissioner for women affairs and social development in Nasarawa State, received the victims on behalf of the state government and expressed gratitude to NAPTIP for their tireless efforts in combating trafficking.

She reiterated the state government’s zero-tolerance policy towards trafficking and highlighted the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition bill as a crucial measure to curb the activities of traffickers.