NAPTIP Conducts Major Operation in Onitsha, Rescuing Trafficked Victims
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has executed a significant raid on a well-known hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State, resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the rescue of seventeen victims who were allegedly trafficked for prostitution. This operation, carried out with military support, highlights the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in Nigeria.
Details of the Raid and Arrests
During the raid, which took place on Monday, February 2, 2026, NAPTIP agents, aided by military personnel, apprehended four individuals. Among those arrested were two suspects accused of being involved in the illicit trade of buying and selling babies across South-Eastern States. The operation was initiated based on credible intelligence provided by a non-state actor in Anambra State, which alerted authorities to the presence of underage girls at the hotel and their concerning health conditions.
Vincent Adekoye, the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit at NAPTIP, confirmed these details in an official statement. He revealed that the victims, who were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States, had been trafficked to Onitsha under false pretenses. Upon rescue, it was discovered that four of the victims were infected with HIV. They are currently receiving counselling from a team of caregivers from NAPTIP and volunteers from the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA).
Victims' Harrowing Experiences and Exploitation
The statement from NAPTIP described the distressing conditions at the hotel, which has approximately 45 rooms. Local residents had previously expressed concerns about the hotel's operations, particularly the daily influx of men seeking to engage with underage girls. During the raid, some victims were found in compromising situations with clients, while others were seen in skimpy attire, awaiting customers.
During interrogations, the victims shared their tragic stories. They explained that they were lured to Onitsha with promises of employment, only to be forced into prostitution. Each victim was required to remit between N20,000 and N25,000 daily to their "Madam" by engaging with about five men, often involving multiple sexual encounters. One victim recounted how her boyfriend had deceived her into coming to Onitsha for a job, after which the Madam introduced her to the exploitative work.
In a particularly heartbreaking account, an HIV-positive victim described how the Madam confiscated antiretroviral medicines provided by a humanitarian organization and prohibited further medical treatment, even resorting to physical abuse. This cruel act has prompted NAPTIP to intensify its search for the Madam, labeling her actions as criminal.
Response from NAPTIP Leadership and Ongoing Efforts
The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, expressed deep sadness over the plight of the victims and commended the military in Onitsha for their crucial support during the operation. She also thanked the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team (GHR-SRT) under ANSACA for their timely intervention and collaboration, which facilitated the rescue of the underage girls.
Bello emphasized her devastation upon learning about the health status of the rescued victims and the Madam's actions in denying them medical care. She announced that NAPTIP has launched a manhunt for the Madam and has invited the hotel owner for interrogation to determine appropriate sanctions for the facility. Reiterating the agency's commitment, Bello stated that NAPTIP will continue to escalate its efforts to pursue and dismantle human trafficking networks across the country.
This operation underscores the persistent challenges in combating human trafficking in Nigeria and the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in rescuing victims and bringing perpetrators to justice.
