By Chukwudi Samuel. Joint operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in persons (NAPTIP), Ministry of foreign Affairs, the Nigeria high commission in New Delhi, India, the Delhi police as well as activists from the New Delhi based Anti Human Trafficking organization known as Vihaan-WMS, have arrested a notorious foreign based human trafficker, Joy Shandy Okah in a deliberate operation targeting big time traffickers outside Nigeria. The successful operation also led to the rescue of three Nigeria victims of forced prostitution (Names withheld) in New Delhi, India.It would be recalled that the Director General, NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi on assumption of duties, had vowed to ensure that the high profile human traffickers across the world identified, arrest, prosecuted and the proceed of their ill-gotten wealth confiscated and forfeited as restitution to victims of Trafficking. In order to realize this mission, the Director General has embarked on a strategic advocacy to expand the pool of the agency and enhance operational relationship with critical partners within and outside Nigeria.Foremost among partners that have demonstrated unconditional commitment to work with the agency is the international police organization (INTERPOL) of which the India police is a member. Explaining how the operation was coordinated, Head of the international and intelligence cooperation unit of NAPTIP, Mrs Angela Agbayekhai, said the prompt directive and support from the Director General greatly accounted for the success of the operation.Mrs Agbayekhai stated that on 12th December 2021, NAPTIP received an SOS via email from a Nigeria Minor- 17 years old (name withheld) who was deceitfully trafficked from Nigeria for forced prostitution in India. She requested the intervention of the NAPTIP for her rescue and that of other Nigeria victims held captive and forced into sex trade by one Joy Shandy Okay, a Nigeria woman based in India.The three victims were rescued from their captive in New krishina park near Well pharmacy Vikaspuri, Delhi – IndiaAccording to report filled, the victims were recruited from Edo, Delta and Rivers States, Nigeria and trafficked to India for sexual exploitation by one Joy Shandy okah, and her accomplices. One of the victims travelled from Nigeria on 17th September 2021, while the other two arrived India from Nigeria on 14th December 2021. The victims were subjected to oath rituals in Nigeria before their eventual travel.It was said that the victims travelled with questionable passport and student visas. Which they were eventually held captive in New Delhi by their trafficker. Joy Shandy okah, who sponsored their trip to India. Their phones and travel documents were seized and they were forced into prostitution to pay up a debt of N4.5 Million naira each until their rescue on 6th January, 2022.However, Joy Shandy the alleged trafficker is currently facing trial in an India Court since 7th January 2022 after her arrest and the victims who are currently in a safe house linked to Vihaan-WMS and assisting the authority in this regard, the head of the intelligence unit of NAPTIP stated.Speaking on the development, Director General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, stated “She have directed that all persons linked with the recruitment, harbouring, Trafficking and sexual exploitation of the three victims who are bases in Nigeria, be identified, arrested and prosecuted. She went further, “We shall take the appropriate legal step to ensure that such proceeds of crime are forfeited and use to assuage the pain inflicted on the victims” The Director General, NAPTIP, thanked the ministry of foreign affairs, the High Commission of Nigeria to India, authority of the new Delhi police, the personnel of the new Delhi based – Anti-human Trafficking organization known as Vihaan-WMS and other stakeholders whose roles contributed to the success of the rescue operation and assured them of the agency’s sustained support.
Transnational human trafficking syndicates jitter as NAPTIP expands dragnets.
