NAPTIP talks tough as 231 trafficked Nigerians repatriated from Ghana

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has taken custody of 231 Nigerian youths repatriated from Ghana following a major rescue operation led by that country’s Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO).

The group — made up of 227 boys and four girls aged between 15 and 18 — was received by NAPTIP officials at the agency’s Lagos Command Office in Ikeja.

Vincent Adekoye, NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, said the victims were rescued from a suspected trafficking base in Kumasi, where they had been subjected to forced cybercrime and sexual exploitation.

Speaking on behalf of NAPTIP’s Director-General Binta Adamu Bello, the Lagos State Commander, Mrs. Comfort Agboko, described the situation as alarming and pledged stronger cross-border collaboration to combat trafficking.

“We are seriously disturbed by this development and are working with partners in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and other West African nations to dismantle these criminal networks,” Bello stated.

“Our sustained operations in Nigeria have forced traffickers to relocate, but we will pursue them wherever they go.”

According to NAPTIP, the victims were found in a residential estate in Oyarifa, Accra, where traffickers had taken over nearly 30 out of 50 houses to operate from.

The agency says it will now begin profiling the victims and will offer them medical attention, psychological support, and vocational training to help them rebuild their lives.

Bello also warned that individuals among the returnees found complicit in trafficking activities would be prosecuted under Nigeria’s anti-trafficking laws.

She expressed appreciation to EOCO, the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their roles in the cross-border operation.