The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry has successfully rescued four young women, aged between 19 and 24 years, suspected to be victims of human trafficking. The incident occurred on October 21, 2024, during a routine patrol conducted by the base’s Quick Response Team (QRT) at a jetty in Badagry.
According to a press statement released by Navy Captain Bitebobo Augustus Amakiri, Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, the victims were found aboard a fiber boat traveling from Mile 2 to Panshi Jetty. The QRT, performing a routine stop-and-search operation, discovered that the women appeared confused about their destination and revealed that they were instructed to call a contact number upon arrival in Panshi, where they were to be picked up for transport to the Republic of Benin, allegedly for promises of a better life.
Upon interrogation, it became clear that the young women were unaware of their final destination, raising suspicion of human trafficking. As a result, they were immediately taken into protective custody at the base while authorities initiated further investigations.
On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Nigerian Navy handed the rescued women over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at its zonal office in Ikeja, Lagos, for continued investigation and prosecution of those involved in the trafficking operation. The handover was conducted in accordance with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution (HSOP-AD&P) guidelines, which were established in 2016 to ensure proper management and care of victims.
Captain Amakiri emphasized that this successful interception was just one of several recent efforts by the Nigerian Navy in combating human trafficking. He noted that, since July 2024, FOB Badagry has handed over a total of 43 young women to NAPTIP and the Nigeria Immigration Service, highlighting the Navy’s ongoing commitment to fighting human trafficking and ensuring maritime security within its area of responsibility (AOR). These efforts align with the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive 2023-6, which seeks to guarantee a safe and secure maritime environment for Nigeria and the broader Gulf of Guinea region.
The Nigerian Navy’s sustained operations and partnerships with agencies like NAPTIP demonstrate the country’s resolve to clamp down on trafficking networks, which have long exploited Nigeria’s maritime corridors. Human trafficking remains a significant concern in the region, with traffickers often targeting vulnerable individuals with false promises of better living conditions and employment opportunities abroad.
NAPTIP, which has been at the forefront of addressing human trafficking in Nigeria, is expected to take up the investigation, ensuring that those responsible for the exploitation of these young women face justice. The agency will also work on providing the necessary support for the victims, including psychological counseling and rehabilitation, to help them reintegrate into society.
In his closing remarks, Captain Amakiri reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s waters and curbing illegal activities such as trafficking. He called on all relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant and work collaboratively to eliminate human trafficking and other crimes that threaten the safety and well-being of individuals within the region.
The successful rescue of these four women serves as a reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by human trafficking, but it also underscores the positive outcomes that can be achieved through dedicated security efforts and inter-agency cooperation. The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with NAPTIP, continues to strive toward a safer and more secure future for all Nigerians.