NAPTIP ARRESTS THREE IN KATSINA HOTEL RAID, RESCUES VICTIMS OF INTERSTATE SEX TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Katsina State Command, has arrested three suspected members of an interstate human trafficking syndicate and rescued three young women during a raid on a prominent hotel in Katsina township.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, titled “NAPTIP Raids Popular Hotel In Katsina, Arrests Three Suspected Members Of Inter–State Human Trafficking Syndicates And Rescues Three Victims.”
According to Adekoye, the suspects were apprehended inside the hotel during a targeted operation, and three victims—aged between 21 and 26 years and originating from Benue and Rivers States—were rescued from a small room within the hotel premises.
The arrested suspects allegedly specialize in the recruitment and trafficking of young women from other parts of the country to the northern region for sexual exploitation. The hotel manager and two other staff members were also taken into custody during the operation.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects are key players in supplying victims to brothels and other exploitative centres in Nigeria and neighboring countries.
The raid follows a directive by NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, who recently ordered intensified surveillance and intelligence-gathering across the country to combat interstate trafficking. Bello also instructed operatives to closely monitor hotels, bars, and motor parks where traffickers are suspected to operate.
According to NAPTIP, the victims were lured to Katsina under false promises of legitimate employment but were coerced into prostitution upon arrival. One of the rescued victims recounted, “I was brought here by a woman who promised a good-paying job. When we arrived, we were introduced to prostitution, which was not what we were told.”
Another victim described the harsh conditions, stating, “We sleep with at least 20 men a day. Even when we are sick or menstruating, we are forced to continue. All the money goes to the chairlady, Amarachi. They drug us with energy drinks so we can perform through the night.”
The victims also alleged that the traffickers employed informants to monitor them and prevent escape, adding to their psychological and financial captivity.
Reacting to the development, DG Bello condemned the hotel management for facilitating human trafficking and announced that the establishment would be sanctioned in accordance with the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act.
“These young women were deceived, trafficked, and forced into sex work while their exploiters relaxed in the same hotel, profiting from their suffering,” Bello stated. “I commend the Katsina operatives for their swift action. We must continue to dismantle these syndicates and bring justice to the victims.”
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