NAPTIP Rescues Three Women, Busts Human Trafficking Syndicate in Katsina

The Katsina State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has dismantled a suspected human trafficking syndicate and rescued three young women allegedly forced into prostitution.

The successful raid, which took place in one of the well-known hotels within Katsina township (name withheld), also led to the arrest of three suspects believed to be behind the recruitment and trafficking network. According to the agency, the group specialized in luring girls from different parts of the country and trafficking them to the North for sexual exploitation.

In a statement dated July 9, 2025, NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed the arrest and rescue operation. He revealed that the suspects—including the hotel manager and two staff—were found in the hotel where the victims, aged between 21 and 26, were being held. The victims are from Benue and Rivers States.

The operation, the agency said, followed a recent directive by the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, who had ordered heightened surveillance around hotels, drinking spots, and motor parks across major cities.

According to Adekoye, “The Director General had earlier asked that operatives pay close attention to activities around hotels, drinking joints, and motor parks in state capitals to disrupt criminal networks.”

He added that the victims were discovered in a cramped, sparsely furnished room within the hotel, while their traffickers were staying in a much more comfortable suite allegedly funded by the victims’ daily earnings.

One of the rescued women, in a tearful conversation with operatives, recounted the horrors she endured.

“I was brought here by a woman (name withheld). She promised to give us a job and said we would be paid very well. I asked her the nature of the job, but she said I would find out when I got here. When we arrived, she introduced us to prostitution, which was not what we were told,” she said.

“We sleep with at least 20 men every day, and all the money goes to the chairlady of the place, called Amarachi. Even during our monthly period or when we are sick or tired, they force us to sleep with men. They told us our feelings don’t matter—only the money. They even give us Fearless energy drinks every night to keep us going,” she added in tears.

She further revealed that the syndicate hired men to guard them and stop any attempts to escape, tightening the grip of exploitation.

Reacting to the development, NAPTIP Director General Binta Adamu Bello expressed outrage at the cruelty the victims suffered and the alleged involvement of hotel operators.

“I wish to commend the operatives of NAPTIP in Katsina for the raid and rescue of the victims. Their stories are painful and sad. They were deceived, recruited, trafficked, and forced into prostitution. While they faced horror every day, their traffickers were somewhere within the same hotel, feeding fat on the proceeds of the exploitation,” Bello said.

She stressed that the hotel where the crimes occurred will be held accountable.

“It is also important to reiterate our earlier warning about hotel operators aiding and abetting human trafficking. We have commenced legal proceedings to determine the next course of action for the hotel. The law shall definitely take its course,” she stated.