AEPB intercepts 18 suspected trafficked victims in Abuja

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board has intercepted 18 suspected victims of human trafficking and handed them over to the National Agency for Prohibition of trafficking in persons (NAPTIP).
Head of information and outreach of AEPB, Mukthar Ibrahim said that the 18 women were apprehended at a clinic and diagnostic Centre in maitama by a team of AEPB officials on night patrols.
He said: ‘we apprehended the 18 women, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, who were purportedly on their way to Saudi Arabia”
“The women have been handed over to NAPTIP, who will take the matter up as it is constitutionally empowered to do. The mandate of AEPB is to ensure that we rid Abuja and its environs of whatever will constitute public nuisance,”
Speaking further, Ibrahim observed that human trafficking has taken different measures saying curbing it requires the support and assistance of all.
“We have the mandate to keep Abuja safe, we are sanitizing the city to assist the government that in creating an environment that will drive development from all angles,” he stressed.
Also speaking, the deputy director of monitoring and enforcement unit, AEPB, Mohammed Nasiru, said that the women were apprehended by the agency’ patrol team on night duty.
“AEPB was aware of the efforts of the Federal Government to bring some Nigerians in Libya back to the country and would assist the government in its efforts to rid Abuja of the activities of human traffickers.
Meanwhile, one of the victims, Zaariyah simbiyat, who is an NCE graduate of business education confessed to newsmen that she was lured to Abuja for a house help job.

 

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