NAPTIP arrests 56-year-old human trafficker

The Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested a 56-year-old woman over alleged human trafficking. It was gathered that the suspect, Mrs Ehis Edoghien, who hails Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State, specialized in recruiting young girls for her own children residing abroad. The […]

The Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested a 56-year-old woman over alleged human trafficking.

It was gathered that the suspect, Mrs Ehis Edoghien, who hails Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State, specialized in recruiting young girls for her own children residing abroad. The suspect was alleged to have recruited two 18-year-old girls, procured passports and visa to enable them travel to Russia where they would both pay $7,000 each for travelling expenses alone.

Speaking with journalists, the Commander, NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command, Nduka Nwanwenne, said the suspect has been on the surveillance of the command after series of reports and intelligence concerning her human trafficking activities. 

“The suspect usually takes her victims to her house for some weeks during which they undergo orientation and tutelage before they graduate to make the journey,” he said.

He added that after recruiting victims, she also takes them to churches for prayers during the period of the orientation to also prepare them for the journey

“During the weekend, the suspect took the victims to the Life of Christ Fellowship at the Sakpnba area of Benin City for prayers, an area very endemic to human trafficking and was arrested by NAPTIP operatives in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) as soon as she came back from the prayer house,” he said.

Nwanwenne disclosed that the victims were rescued and taken to the NAPTIP Shelter for counselling and debriefing.