Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra state have arrested a suspected human trafficker and rescued 5 victims.
FRSC Head of Operations in the state, Anthony Ogbodo, told newsmen in Awka on Wednesday that the suspect, a 36-year-old driver, was arrested on Onitsha-Awka Expressway on Tuesday evening.
Ogbodo said the suspect was arrested by the team when a black Nissan Primera, with registration number BEN468HP, was stopped for seat belt violation.
“Our patrol team earlier set out to book the driver for seat belt violation; on close inspection, it noticed five girls inside the vehicle; this raised its suspicion.
“The vehicle was impounded and taken to the commission’s office.
“We interviewed the driver who claimed he was taking the girls to work as house helps and farmers in their family farmland in Benin.
“The victims, who said they were from Vande Ikya in Benue, told us they were going to Benin to sell pepper soup and beer in a beer parlour,” he said.
Ogbodo added that the state sector command alerted the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Anambra after the case was reported.
Meanwhile, the commander of NAPTIP in Anambra, Judith-Chukwu Ibadin while receiving the impounded vehicle, suspects and victims, said an investigation will be launched into the case.
She said, “The suspect and victims are going to be in our custody pending when we conclude investigations.
“I am sure there may be other suspects because this is a syndicate.
“We are going to interview both the victims and the suspect.
“If there are more, we make further arrests. They will be prosecuted and if found guilty, the court will pronounce judgment.”
