…Nabs Lebanese for trafficking 34 year-old Woman to Lebanon***

The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Tuesday said it had burst another baby-sale racket and arrested two female suspects that were involved.

The agency said that the suspects were allegedly involved in the sales of a-month old boy delivered by mad woman.

The Lagos State commander of NAPTIP, Mr Daniel Atokolo, said this during a news conference organised by the agency in Lagos.

Atokolo said that the agency arrested the two women who were alleged to have been involved in the selling and buying of the baby delivered by a mentally-challenged woman on Jan. 30.

According to Atokolo, fresh facts from the agency revealed that it was the fifth time the mentally-deranged mother would be losing  her child to the greed of the people around her.

“Nigerians may argue that the move is in the interest of the baby, the agency totally disagrees with this.

“The agency, therefore, calls on citizens with good intentions to explore legal means of adopting babies.

“This crime is punishable by law because the illegal avenues availed unscrupulous elements the opportunity to exploit both women and their young infants, even for ungodly activities such as rituals,” the commander said.

He also said that the agency under  the leadership of its Director-General, Mrs Dame Okah-Donli, would never relent in the fight against human trafficking.

He said, “NAPTIP will not relent in its efforts and with all the resources at its disposal to ensure that Nigeria becomes a human trafficking-free nation.’’

The Lagos Command of NAPTIP has since its inception in 2004 to December 2019, recorded 89 convictions.

In another development, the NAPTIP says it has rescued another  34- year old lady, Mrs Kikelomo Olayide, who was allegedly deceived to Lebanon for employment.

Also read:  Human Trafficking: Omolola Ajayi arrives Abuja from Lebanon, handed over to NAPTIP

The Lagos State Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Daniel Atokolo, said this at a news conference organised by the agency in Lagos on Tuesday.

This is coming weeks after Omolola Ajayi, a Kwara based 23 years old single mother who was trafficked to Lebanon on the pretext of becoming English teacher was rescued by the government.

Olayide returned to Nigeria at 4:pm, on Feb. 2 and she is presently in the agency’s care.

The commander said the victim was allegedly trafficked by a 54 – year old Lebanese (name withheld for further investigations) in October 2019.

“NAPTIP responded to Olayide’s husband complaints on Jan. 30, when she was apprehended by the Lebanese, who is resident in Lagos.

“NAPTIP immediately mandated the suspect to release Olayide in Lebanon to be moved back to Nigeria.

“Olayide is a mother of two and an indigene of Kwara,” Atokolo said.

Atokolo presenting the fact of the case said that the suspect trafficked the victim under the pretence of employing her as a care giver to his aged mother in Lebanon.

“However, on the victim’s arrival at Lebanon, she was received by an agent who also 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,” the NAPTIP Lagos Commander said.

According to Atokolo, when Olayide’s husband approached the suspect to return his wife, he was threatened.

“The suspect demanded that the victim would only be returned if the victim’s family provides another person to replace her. This is so sad,” the state commander said.

Atokolo said the agency is currently investigating the suspect’s activities to ascertain his possible involvement in trafficking Nigerians to his home country for exploitation.

“The recently celebrated return of Omolola Ajayi is also not far from our thoughts; NAPTIP, therefore urged Nigerian youths not to assess job offers made by these foreign benefactors.

“NAPTIP implores Nigerian youths to do personal assessment of their qualifications to employments offered by foreign benefactors,” Atokolo said.

Atokolo added that NAPTIP Lagos command from inception to December 2019, has recorded 89 convictions.