Navy rescues eight victims of human trafficking, 2 drowning fishermen

The Nigerian Navy has rescued eight female victims of human trafficking in the country.

The Navy Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the victims were rescued between Saturday and Tuesday.

He said the Service operatives also rescued two drowning fishermen and arrested eight stowaways on the Nigerian water.

According to Adams-Aliu, the feats were recorded by the Navy units across the country’s maritime domain in different operations.

He added that a sea robbery attempt was also foiled within the same period.

The spokesman said: “On Saturday, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base in Badagry, intercepted a wooden passenger boat with eight females aged between 18 to 23 years en route to the Benin Republic.

“It became obvious that the victims were being trafficked by a yet-to-be-identified agent upon interrogation.

“The victims were handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate was ongoing.

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“The personnel of Forward Operating Base IBAKA in Akwa Ibom on Wednesday intercepted suspected sea robbers attempting to rob a supply vessel along Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government Area.

“The robbers opened fire on the Naval troops, prompting them to respond with heavy gunfire.

“The robbers later retreated into the creeks and the robbery attempt was effectively foiled.

“Also, on July 12, the personnel from Forward Operating Base LEKKI rescued two drowning fishermen around Lekki Anchorage Area, about 10 nautical miles from Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

“Findings revealed that the fishermen were fishing within the area when their boat capsised due to the rough sea state.”

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