Beware of German-based Human Trafficking Syndicate

Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, students, guardians and members of the unsuspecting public have been warned to beware of a German-based human trafficking syndicate that is operating under the guise of offering internship opportunities to lure the youth into a human trafficking net in Europe. In a circular, the National Universities Commission (NUC) today, drew the attention of Vice Chancellors to the existence of the syndicate which is based in Germany and specializes in luring unsuspecting students from third world countries to Germany and other European countries under the guise of offering them internship opportunities in industries and allied institutions. In a circular, which was signed by Mr. John Mairafi Ahmadu, a director in the Executive Secretary’s office at the NUC, the existence of the syndicate was busted by a careful investigation by Indonesian Police. It was stated in the circular that the discovery by the Indonesian police was shared with the Office of the Secretary General of the Federation (OSGF) which communicated the development to the NUC with the clear instruction that the development should be brought to the attention of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities for escalation to the Nigerian public.

17 girls rescued, 7 Arrested in Army baby-making factory raid

17 girls rescued, 7 Arrested in Army baby-making factory raid

The Nigerian military troops conducted a special operation on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon on June 23, leading to the uncovering of a baby-making factory in Adamawa State. Upon gathering credible information, troops stormed the enclave of criminals at the outskirts of Kasingila village in the Maiha Local Government Area of the state. Seven suspects were arrested in the raid, and 17 teenage girls as well as two babies were rescued. The suspects were nabbed during a raid in their enclave in Adamawa state on the Nigerian-Cameroon border. They were said to be operating a brothel, human trafficking joint and baby-making factory. Addressing journalists when parading the culprits, the leader of the camp, Abubakar Abdullahi, stated that he had originally obtained the girls from Adamawa, Gombe and Borno States in order to establish a camp serving as a dance club, brothel, and sales of babies to both Nigeria and Cameroon. The girls – aged between 19 and 21 – revealed they had been held captive in the camp for two to three years, including being used to perform during weddings and naming ceremonies within Nigeria and Cameroon. Money made from the activities was then held back by the captors so that they could not escape. Investigation has revealed that such facilities are abundant in border areas, making human trafficking prominent in the area. It is therefore expected that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) will take the appropriate measures end this ugly trend.