NAPTIP thwarts Saudi-bound illegal minor domestic workers

EIGHT minors and 19 women who were billed to travel to Saudi Arabia for illegal domestic work have been arrested in Abuja.

The Agency alleged that the rescued persons, who are from Kano state, were going to Saudi Arabia for suspected domestic servitude.

It said the rescue operation was a result of intelligence gathered about the impending trip, which also led to the arrest of three suspected human traffickers, namely: Hamisu Ibrahim, Sanusi Usman, and Sabiu Sule. The arrested suspects are officials of Kabo Travel and Tours Ltd, based in Kano. Kabo Travel and Tours Ltd and another Kano based Company Halal Travel and Tours were facilitating the trip.

The victims were rescued from the Vfs Tasheel International’s office, Central Business Area Abuja where their agents had taken them to for data capturing before their onward journey to Saudi Arabia. Other suspects working with Halal Travel and Tours Ltd, who were also part of the facilitators of the trip, are still at large, and investigation into the case is ongoing.

The arrests and rescue came on the heels of increased reports of exploitation being meted out on Nigerians who had gone to seek employment as domestic employees in Saudi Arabia and other countries.

The Director-general of NAP- TIP, Dame Julie Okah-donli reiterated her resolve to prevent young Nigerians seeking employment outside the shores of Nigeria from being exploited and promised that the suspects, if found culpable, will be duly prosecuted.

In a related development, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Number 28 sitting in Apo, Abuja, has remanded a 40-year – old man, Alex Okafor in prison custody for an alleged act of violence and inflicting injuries on his three children. The three children (names withheld) are aged eight, 10 and 11 years.

His remand was sequel to his arraignment by NAPTIP and his inability to meet the bail conditions granted him by the Court.