Yemisi Izuora
The National Agency for the prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has announced the return of Olayide Biliki Kikelomo, who was trafficked by a 54 year old Lebanese in October 2019, to his home country.
kikelomo returned on Saturday, 2nd February, 2020 and is presently in the Agency’s care.
NABTIB in response to a complaint by the husband of the mother of two, on Thursday 30th January, 2020 apprehended the Lebanese National who is resident here in Lagos and mandated him to see to the return of Kikelomo.
Addressing the media in Lagos, Lagos Commander of NAPTIP, Daniel Atokolo, said facts of the case so far revealed that the suspect had trafficked the victim on the pretense of employing her as a care giver by his aged mother in Lebanon. Giving further narrative, Atokolo said, “On arrival, the victim was reported to have received by an agent who handed her over to a family where she was exploited as a domestic servant. The victim also reported that she was sexually harassed while working for the said family.
When approached by the victims husband to return his wife, the suspect reportedly demanded that the victim would only be returned if the family provides another to replace her.”
The Agency is currently investigating the suspects activities to ascertain his possible involvement in trafficking Nigerians to his home country for exploitation.
The Agency therefore warned against the recent movement of Nigerian females to countries like Lebanon, The United Arab Emirates, in search of the proverbial golden goose. Their stories almost always end in exploitation especially labour and sexual exploitation.
NAPTIP, said it would not fail to prosecute recruiters and traffickers, just as it appreciated Nigerians is Diaspora who aided the rescue of the Victim.
In another development, the NAPTIP Lagos Command Lagos command on Thursday, 30th January, 2020 also apprehended two women, Juliet and Chioma for their involvement in the purchase and sale of a month old baby belonging to a mentally challenged woman.
The current facts of the case indicate that this is the fifth time this helpless mother was to loose her children to the greed of the people and sad situations around her.
Atokolo said, “Many might argue that this is the best interest of the children, but the agency calls on Nigerians to please explore legal means of adoption as purchase or sale of babies is a crime that is punishable by law. The illegal avenues also avail unscrupulous elements the opportunity to exploit both helpless young women and their young infants even for ungodly activities such as rituals.
ThemAgency under the Director General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, has adopted a five pronged strategy to the fight against human trafficking which are policy, prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.
The Agency has been carrying out sensitization and enlightenment programs targeted at market places, schools, motor parks, travel operators and agents, religious institutions, amongst others.
“We are glad to report that this has led to an Increase in the number of cases reported to the Agency as more Nigerians are not aware of the activities of traffickers. We are also glad to inform you that human trafficking issues are now to be covered by school curriculum.” said Atokolo.
He said that the Lagos command from inception to 2019 has recorded 89 convictions and a total of 4,626 victims have been provided various levels of services at the NAPTIP Lagos Shelter.
The Agency also has designated hotlines for each command and the headquarters, for NAPTIP Lagos, please call 0708060801, NAPTIP can also be reached on www.naptip.gov.ng , NAPTIP Lagos – infolagos@naptip.gov.ng .
