The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two persons for alleged human trafficking in Bauchi State.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr. Oloyede Oyerinde, disclosed this at a news conference on Saturday in Bauchi.
He said: “The NSCDC operatives intercepted a stolen black Toyota Hilux (TRD V6 Off-Road) 2020 model with chassis number MROFA3CDOL3850349 on March 25.
“The vehicle was stolen from the Rantiya area near High School in Jos, Plateau, and belonged to Mr. Emmanuel Agbola, a resident of Rantiya.
“Upon receiving the report at the State Command Headquarters, the personnel swiftly activated a stop-and-search operation and intensified patrols along the Bauchi-Jos Expressway.’’
“The criminals, sensing danger, abandoned the vehicle and escaped.
“The recovered vehicle had since been handed over to the rightful owner.
“On March 21, at approximately 10:00 hours, one Faith Gabriel, 19, a resident of Yalwan Kagadama/Unguwan Kusu, reported a case of human trafficking to the NSCDC Bauchi State Command Headquarters.
“She accused a 33-year-old woman, Yalwan Kagadama, of luring victims to one Mary Simon, 35, under the pretence of securing jobs for four girls, ages 19 to 20.
“The girls were taken to Ibadan on March 10, allegedly for restaurant jobs.
“However, upon arrival, they were lodged in an undisclosed hotel; the next morning, the hotel’s security guard informed them that they were being trafficked for commercial sex work en route to Côte d’Ivoire.
“Fearing for their lives, they fled the hotel and returned to Bauchi,” he said.
“The suspects confessed to transporting the victims to the location where they managed to escape.”