The Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Friday rescued nine victims of human trafficking in the state.

The NIS Comptroller in the state, Mr Ahmed Bagari, disclosed this when he briefed newsmen about incident in Dutse on Saturday.

Bagari said the victims were rescued at about 5 p.m. on Friday by the men of the command operating on Kazaure-Daura axis, in Kazaure Local Government Area.

He explained that the victims, aged between 22 and 37 were intercepted and rescued on their way to Europe en route Niger Republic and Libya.

The comptroller added that the victims, comprising one eight females and one male, are from Enugu, Ondo Ogun and Oyo states.

“Personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service, after a tip-off/credible intelligence about the movement of the victims from Kano to Niger through Kazaure, mounted a stop and search exercise at our check point at Tsamiyar Ilu, in Kazaure LGA.

“However, on sighting the presence of our personnel, the driver attempted to evade interception by speeding and manoeuvring around the check point resulting into an accident where some of the victims sustained minor injuries.

“And they have all been treated at General Hospital Dutse,” the comptroller said.

According to him, only one of the victims is in possession of an expired Nigerian Standard Passport, adding that no incriminating items or drugs were found in their possession.

Bagari said the victims would soon be handed over to
the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), while the driver of the vehicle was handed over to the police for further action.

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He, therefore, advised parents, guardian and the general public to desist from sending their children and wards abroad in search of greener posture.

“Nigeria is far better than the so called greener posture abroad in form of freedom and other expectations.

“It is pertinent to state that this trend of human trafficking has its inherent risks and dangers in the form of victims being exposed to slavery, forced labour, death in the desert and at sea, en route to their perceived destinations, and even organ harvest,” he said.

The general public are further advised to report cases of human trafficking and other related criminal acts to the nearest security agencies. (NAN)