The Police Command in Katsina State on Friday said it has rescued seven victims of human trafficking at Yankara village in Mai’adua Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Gambo Isah said in a statement on Friday in Katsina that the rescue was made possible following a raid on a criminal hideout in Yankara village.
He said the command had also repelled a bandit attack at Fadimawa village in Kurfi LGA of the state and recovered rustled animals.
“On January 20, 2022, based on credible intelligence, the command raided a criminal hideout at Yankara village, Koza District, Mai’adua LGA, and rescued seven victims of human trafficking.
“The victims include: Success Oshoopkeme, from Akoko – Edo LGA of Edo State, 20; Isaac Debora of Ugunagbo LGA, Abia state, 20 and 28-year-old Amoruwa Ade of Irede LGA, Ondo State.
“Others are 20-year-old James Rebecca of Minna LGA of Niger State, Emmanuel Godwin, 23, of Eka North LGA of Delta State, Zainab Tijjani, 21, of Ibadan LGA of Oyo State, and 27-year-old Taofik Olawale, also of Ibadan LGA of Oyo state,” Isah said.
Isah said in the course of the investigation, the victims explained that they were brought to the village by their agent, who on sighting the police took to their heels and escaped with their phones.
The police spokesperson said the victims told the police that they were on their way to Libya through Niger Republic border.
“Investigation is ongoing. They will be handed over to the NAPTIP office in Kano for further investigation and arrest of the traffickers,” he said.
“Also, on Jan. 27, bandits attacked Fadimawa village, Kurfi LGA and rustled an unspecified number of domestic animals.
“The DPO Kurfi led a team of policemen to the scene and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.
“The operational strategy and gallantry displayed by the police overpowered the hoodlums, thereby, leading to the recovery of all the stolen animals.
“Many of the bandits escaped with bullet injuries, search parties are still combing the nearby bushes with a view to arresting the hoodlums,” Isah said.
