The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has handed over 46 trafficked women and children to the Katsina State Government after intercepting them while attempting to travel to the Republic of Chad through illegal routes.
The victims were apprehended at the Maiduguri border in Borno State while allegedly en route to seek economic opportunities abroad via irregular migration channels. They were returned to Katsina on Friday after initial profiling and care.
One of the returnees, Naja’atu Salisu, a mother of two from Zango Local Government Area, said worsening economic hardship forced her to undertake the journey.
“We were travelling to Jummaina in Chad to engage in lawful trade, but immigration officials intercepted us and brought us back,” she said.
Naja’atu, a tailor, disclosed that she raised money for the trip with help from her father, hoping to support her family.
“I left my children behind to look for a livelihood. Now we are asking for financial support to start a small business and settle down,” she added.
Another victim, Maryam Alhaji Salis, said she planned to work in Chad to prepare for her marriage.
“I wanted to earn money to buy household items ahead of my wedding,” she explained, adding that she sold her livestock and borrowed money to fund the trip.
Also recounting her ordeal, Ladidi Audu, a mother of eight, said poor health and loss of income drove her decision.
“I lost my livelihood after suffering severe burns while frying akara. I was told the poor and sick receive help there, which made me agree to travel,” she said.
Speaking during the handover, NAPTIP Commander in Katsina State, Musa Aliyu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating human trafficking, child labour, and irregular migration.
“Our officers intercepted the 46 victims in Maiduguri on Wednesday. They were received on Thursday and formally handed over to the Katsina State Government today,” he stated.
Aliyu disclosed that about 70 trafficked persons have been rescued by NAPTIP in 2026, the majority of them women.
Receiving the victims, the Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Umar Radda on Drugs, Narcotics and Human Trafficking, Shehu Abdu Daura, warned against illegal migration driven by false promises.
“Many of these victims were deceived with fake job offers abroad. Such journeys often end in loss of life or permanent separation from families,” he said.
Daura stressed that while legal migration is not discouraged, undocumented routes expose travellers to grave dangers.
“Those who travel through illegal routes are not recognised or protected anywhere,” he warned.
He urged the returnees to embrace local economic opportunities such as farming and trading, assuring them of government support as they are reunited with their communities.
