The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara Command, has arrested two suspects in separate operations involving alleged human trafficking and illegal medical practice.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Ayoola Shola, on Wednesday in Ilorin.
“The suspect, Victor Barry, 22, who was allegedly trafficking a 17-year-old girl from Amoyo, Kwara to Mali, under the pretext of securing employment for her in Senegal.
“The case was reported by the victim’s mother at the NSCDC Amoyo Division on Oct. 9, before being transferred to the State Headquarters in Ilorin,” Shola said.
Shola disclosed that preliminary findings indicated that the suspect allegedly met the girl at his shop on Oct. 5, when she wanted to purchase noodles and subsequently offered her an opportunity to travel to Senegal for employment.
“The suspect reportedly took the girl to Lagos on Oct. 7, and handed her over to an unidentified individual at Mile 2 area, for onward transportation abroad.
“He later informed NSCDC operatives that the girl had arrived in Mali on Oct. 12,” he said.
The PRO said that the suspect alleged that an agent named Joy, redirected the girl’s destination to Mali, contrary to their initial arrangement for her to travel to Senegal.
He said that the suspect’s parents have pledged to cooperate with the command to facilitate the girl’s return to Nigeria within two weeks.
Shola said that the command would conduct necessary steps to establish the full circumstances of the case and secure her safe return.
In a separate operation on Oct. 13, NSCDC operatives, acting on intelligence, arrested Maruf Bello, 56, for allegedly operating an unauthorised medical facility and performing abortions without recognised medical qualifications.
“During preliminary investigations, the suspect reportedly admitted to performing multiple abortions but failed to produce any certificate or licence authorising him to practise medicine.
“Medical instruments suspected to have been used in the procedures were recovered during the operation,” the PRO said.
He said that the suspect would be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction upon completion of the investigation.
The State Commandant, Abbas Ndah-Mohammed, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding vulnerable persons, and ensuring that individuals suspected of criminal activities are brought to justice in accordance with the law.
Nda-Muhammed urged parents and guardians to exercise caution over overseas employment offers made to young people.
He called on members of the public to promptly report suspected human trafficking, illegal medical practices and other criminal activities to the nearest NSCDC office.
He assured residents of Kwara of the Corp’s continued commitment to public safety just as he called for credible and timely intelligence to support its operations.
