The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has intercepted 47 Nigerians at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as they were reportedly preparing to travel to Cairo, Egypt, in what the agency described as a coordinated anti-trafficking operation.
According to a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, the operation was carried out in partnership with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service on Wednesday at about 13:10 hours.
“The interception took place following coordinated surveillance and prompt inter-agency action,” the agency said, stressing the role of collaboration in preventing human trafficking.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the group, made up of 46 females and one male aged 19 and above, were allegedly being trafficked under the guise of employment opportunities in Egypt.
According to NAPTIP, the victims “were allegedly being moved out of the country under false promises of employment opportunities in Cairo.”
The agency further explained that the individuals “were reportedly lured with offers of jobs as house helps, factory workers, and sales representatives, but available intelligence indicates that the promises were deceptive and consistent with known trafficking patterns used by criminal networks to exploit unsuspecting Nigerians abroad.”
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NAPTIP confirmed that the rescued victims have been taken into protective custody “for further profiling and necessary support,” while investigations are ongoing to track down those behind the operation and bring them to justice.
The agency also commended the efforts of its partners and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, advising the public to “be cautious of suspicious travel arrangements and unverified overseas job offers.”