The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intercepted and rescued 10 Nigerian youths who were being trafficked to Moscow and Russia.
The Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Mrs Stella Nezan, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
Nezan explained that they were intercepted on Saturday night at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in an operation code named “Operation BLOCK’’, while trying to board a Turkish Airline flight to Russia.
She said that the victims used the 2018 World Cup tagged “Russia 2018’’ as cover for travelling to Russia.
According to her, the rescued victims comprise: nine young girls and one boy.
She stated that five of the rescued persons were from Edo, three from Delta, one from Imo and the other from Benue.
The spokesperson said that eight of them reside in Benin City while the other two reside in Warri and Osogbo, respectively.
She added that it was from these locations that they were moved simultaneously on Friday to Lagos with FIFA Fan Identity card for the journey to Russia.
Nezan said that five suspects including a Police Sergeant and a Quarantine Officer were also arrested as they were caught coordinating the movement of the victims.
She gave the names of the arrested suspects as Esan Matthew (Policeman), Stephen Fayemiwo (Quarantine Officer), Azeez Olowo, Idowu Fashakin and Eni Godwin.
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