(SINL NIGERIA) The Nigerian Navy has rescued two victims of human trafficking and handed them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), reaffirming its commitment to tackling human trafficking and other transnational organised crimes.
The victims were rescued during a targeted anti-human trafficking operation by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry on July 17 and formally handed over to NAPTIP’s Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja on July 19.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
The Navy said the victims were processed in line with the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) for handling victims of trafficking before being transferred to the agency.
It explained that the rescued persons were first taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk, where they underwent documentation, biometric capture and other administrative procedures before being handed over to NAPTIP for rehabilitation, protection and further investigation.
The Service said the operation demonstrated its resolve to deny criminal syndicates the use of Nigeria’s maritime domain for human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
It added that the successful rescue and transfer of the victims reflected the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons while strengthening collaboration with relevant security and law enforcement agencies to dismantle human trafficking networks.
The Navy further pledged to sustain intelligence-driven operations and deepen inter-agency cooperation to prevent human trafficking, disrupt criminal organisations and ensure a safe and secure maritime environment.
