By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 59 women and children from a human trafficking attempt from Katsina State to N’Djamena, the capital of the Republic of Chad.
The Borno State Comptroller of Immigration, Muktari Tanimu Musa, disclosed the development in Maiduguri on Tuesday, saying the victims were intercepted at Ngamboru, a border town near Nigeria’s frontier with Cameroon.
Musa said the group was travelling with a suspected trafficking agent, who allegedly lured them with promises of “good jobs” in Chad.
“After interviewing them, it became clear they were being trafficked. The agent deceived them with false employment offers. Many of the victims did not understand the risks involved,” he said.
The comptroller noted that the command had intensified surveillance along the Maiduguri–Ngala axis and was working with the Borno State Government to strengthen border security and curb the movement of trafficked persons through the corridor.
He urged Nigerians to be cautious of individuals offering foreign job opportunities, particularly those promoting so-called white-collar jobs abroad, stressing that legitimate employment opportunities exist within Nigeria.
Musa warned that traffickers often exploit victims for criminal activities, including organ harvesting, and highlighted that trafficking networks sometimes operate with local support.
“These activities are sometimes aided by community members. But recent breakthroughs came because of stronger cooperation with transport operators, drug control officers, and community leaders in Banki and Ngamboru Ngala,” he said.
He added that he had visited the border communities to meet chairmen and stakeholders, urging them to share timely intelligence with officers.
The NIS has profiled the rescued victims and will hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further care and investigation.
Musa appealed to media organisations to support public awareness campaigns, saying, “The media play a crucial role in educating communities about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking. Their support is essential.”
