By Gwurld4026 
Abuja Hotel Raided: 7 Trafficking Victims Rescued by NAPTIP
On March 23, 2025, operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) conducted a raid on a popular hotel in Zamaru, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. This operation led to the rescue of seven young women who were being prepared for trafficking to Baghdad, Iraq, under the guise of employment opportunities.
Details of the Operation:
- Rescued Victims: A critical profiling revealed that six of the victims were recruited from Lagos State, while one hailed from Delta State. They were deceived with promises of high-paying caregiving jobs in Iraq but were unknowingly being trafficked into forced labor and exploitation.
- Arrest: The manager of the hotel was apprehended during the raid. The hotel is believed to have served as a muster point for victims of human trafficking destined for notorious destination countries.
Victims’ Testimonies:
One of the victims tearfully recounted her ordeal, stating, “They told me that I will do a househelp in Baghdad and I will receive good salary every month. I believed them because I think say Baghdad is in another country. Them no tell me say I dey go work for Iraq.”
NAPTIP’s Stance:
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed deep concern over the involvement of some service providers in aiding human trafficking. She emphasized that the agency would invoke relevant laws to prosecute offenders, noting that harboring victims of human trafficking is a criminal offense under Nigeria’s anti-trafficking laws.
Recent Trends:
This incident is part of a broader pattern, as NAPTIP has intercepted no fewer than 60 suspected victims of human trafficking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in recent months. These individuals were being taken to volatile and war-torn countries in the Middle East under false pretenses.