NAPTIP Raids Kano Hotel, Arrests Two Suspects as Iraq-Bound Human Trafficking Victims Are Rescued
Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have successfully carried out a raid on a hotel in Kano State, rescuing several Iraq-bound human trafficking victims and arresting two suspects connected to the syndicate.
The operation was executed by the Kano Zonal Command of NAPTIP on Thursday, February 12, 2026, after credible intelligence suggested that the location was being used as a transit point for trafficked women destined for labour exploitation in Baghdad, Iraq. The victims, aged between 21 and 24, were rescued before they could be moved out of the country.
According to Mohammed Habib, NAPTIP’s Public Relations Officer in Kano, the rescued women were reportedly recruited from southern Nigeria under false pretences of legitimate opportunities abroad. Investigators found that the traffickers planned to transfer the victims onward to Iraq and then coerce them into repaying travel and other expenses once there — a common tactic in trafficking schemes designed to trap victims in exploitative conditions.
During the raid, two suspects were arrested at the scene, while another suspect believed to be involved in coordinating the trafficking network is currently at large. The suspects will face prosecution once the ongoing investigation is concluded.
The rescued women are now under the care of NAPTIP in Kano, where they are receiving counselling, medical support, and rehabilitation services aimed at aiding their recovery and reintegration. The agency also reiterated its commitment to dismantling human trafficking syndicates operating in Nigeria and urged communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Human trafficking remains a significant challenge in the country, with criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals under the guise of foreign employment and better opportunities. NAPTIP’s recent intervention underscores ongoing efforts to protect citizens and disrupt illicit trafficking routes.
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