National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has handed over fifty-two individuals suspected to be victims of human trafficking from Zamfara State to the state government.
The handover was conducted by the NAPTIP State Coordinator, who transferred the victims to the Zamfara State Substance Abuse Control and Prohibition of Human Trafficking Agency.
The victims, mostly from Anka and Talata-Mafara Local Government Areas, were arrested en route to Abuja for mining work including the suspected mastermind, one Bilyaminu.
Fifty-two of them have now been returned to Zamfara State while Bilyaminu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.
Speaking to newsmen after the handover ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Substance Abuse Control and Prohibition of Human Trafficking Agency, Ishaq Anka, said after thorough investigation by the DSS, the victims were returned to NAPTIP for further action.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Government has cautioned residents, particularly those in rural communities, against being deceived by individuals promising them greener pastures elsewhere, warning that such promises often lead to exploitation and human trafficking.