The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons [NAPTIP] has said it has rescued two female Nigerian trafficked victims (names withheld) from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

NAPTIP Press Officer, Mr. Vincent Adekoye, in a statement on Sunday also said the agency arrested a Lebanese for allegedly aiding the trafficking of the victims.

He said the two victims were rescued from their taskmasters and brought back to Nigeria within 72 hours after their plights were brought to the attention of the Director-General of the Agency, Dame Julie Okah–Donli.

Adekoye quoted the Lagos Zonal Commander of the Agency, Mr Daniel Atokolo who, he said coordinated the rescue operation, as saying

“The Agency received a distress call concerning the two Nigerian girls. The first victim who hails from Oyo State is an NCE Certificate holder and was trafficked to Beirut in September 2019 while the second victim who hails from Ebonyi State is a sales girl in Lagos before she was deceived and trafficked to Beirut in September 2019.

“Both victims travelled by air as their visas and other travelling documents were procured by the suspect.

“Upon the receipt of the information, NAPTIP Director-General gave a directive that both of them must be rescued immediately. With the support of our partners in Lebanon and the staff of the Nigeria Embassy in Beirut, they were rescued within 24 hours and we are happy that they are in Nigeria at the moment.”

He added,

“The agency also arrested a Lebanese in connection with the incident while another suspect, David, believed to have played a major role in the recruitment of the victims is now at large.

“Both victims are presently undergoing counselling while the agency has commenced a manhunt for the suspect that is at large.”

Adekoye also quoted Okah–Donli, as saying that the Government of Nigeria has demonstrated a serious commitment towards the eradication of human trafficking in the country through NAPTIP thereby meeting the minimum global standard of compliance.

She called on parents to desist from mounting pressure on their wards and forcing them to travel abroad without any skill rather they should re-direct their attention to the abounding potential in the country.