Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have arrested three suspected members of an interstate human trafficking syndicate during a targeted operation in Katsina State. The sting, carried out at a well-known hotel in the state, also led to the rescue of three young women allegedly trafficked for sexual exploitation.

This development was confirmed on Wednesday by NAPTIP Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, in an official statement. The operation, executed by the agency’s Katsina State Command, is part of an intensified national crackdown on trafficking networks operating across Nigeria.

How the Raid Unfolded

According to Adekoye, NAPTIP agents stormed the hotel following a tip-off and intelligence gathering. During the raid, they rescued three victims aged between 21 and 26, who hail from Benue and Rivers States. The agency also detained the hotel’s manager and two staff members believed to have aided the traffickers.

Preliminary findings revealed that the syndicate specialises in recruiting vulnerable young women from different parts of Nigeria and transporting them to northern states, where they are coerced into sex work. NAPTIP suspects the group has links to brothels both within Nigeria and possibly in neighbouring countries, indicating the existence of a wider human trafficking network.

Victims Lured with Fake Promises

One of the rescued victims recounted the harrowing ordeal of how she was deceived into travelling to Katsina under false pretences. She said a woman—whose identity has been withheld—approached her with promises of a well-paying job. However, upon arrival in Katsina, the reality became evident.

“I was brought here by a woman who promised me a good job. When I asked for the job details, she said I would find out when we got here. When we arrived, she introduced us to prostitution, which was never mentioned before,” the victim said, fighting back tears.

She added that the exploitation was relentless and dehumanising.

“We are forced to sleep with as many as 20 men a day. Even when we are on our period or fall sick, we are given energy drinks every evening to stay active through the night. We make money, but none of it is given to us. The chairlady, Amarachi, collects everything while we feed ourselves from scraps.”

Her voice, heavy with exhaustion and trauma, echoed the stories of countless others trapped in similar cycles of exploitation and abuse.

Traffickers Allegedly Enjoying Proceeds Nearby

According to NAPTIP’s statement, while the victims were crammed into a small room within the hotel complex, the suspected traffickers were occupying a well-furnished suite in the same building. Officials suspect the traffickers had been staying there for some time, using the venue as a base to run their operations and monitor the women.

This gross abuse has prompted the agency to take a more aggressive stance on establishments that aid and abet traffickers.

DG Bello: Hotels Abetting Trafficking Will Face Justice

NAPTIP Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, condemned the hotel’s role in facilitating the trafficking operation. She emphasized that the agency would no longer tolerate hotels, bars, or similar businesses that allow their premises to be used as trafficking hubs.

“These young women were tricked, trafficked, and forced into a life of horror. While they endured daily abuse, their traffickers lived in comfort nearby, profiting from their suffering,” Bello said.

She praised the swift action taken by the Katsina State Command and reiterated the agency’s commitment to uprooting trafficking networks.

“I commend our operatives in Katsina for their swift and brave intervention. Their work has brought relief to these victims and interrupted the operations of a vicious trafficking ring.”

The DG further noted that NAPTIP has initiated legal proceedings against the hotel and its staff, and vowed that the full weight of the law would be brought against those complicit in human trafficking.

“We have begun a legal process to determine the next execution order for the hotel. Any facility found to be complicit will be sealed, prosecuted, and penalised according to the provisions of Nigeria’s trafficking laws.”

Wider Surveillance and National Crackdown

This raid comes as part of a nationwide directive issued by Bello to all NAPTIP commands to intensify surveillance, especially targeting hotspots such as hotels, motor parks, and bars. These locations, according to intelligence, are often used as recruitment, transit, or exploitation points in trafficking operations.

In the last few months, NAPTIP has been ramping up efforts to disrupt trafficking syndicates across the country, launching awareness campaigns, collaborating with law enforcement, and conducting undercover operations in identified hotspots.

Rising Cases of Exploitation in Northern Nigeria

Northern states like Katsina have become increasingly targeted by trafficking rings. Analysts point to a mix of poverty, porous borders, and lax hotel oversight as key enablers of the illegal trade. Additionally, the remoteness of many locations and weak social protection systems make the victims more vulnerable and harder to rescue.

NAPTIP has called on residents, hotel operators, and community leaders to report any suspicious activities and collaborate with security agencies to help stem the tide of human trafficking.

“The fight against human trafficking is one that requires all hands on deck,” the agency emphasized. “From hotels to transport companies, everyone must remain alert and report any indicators of abuse or exploitation.”

Way Forward: Protection, Rehabilitation, and Prosecution

The rescued victims are currently receiving psychosocial support and medical attention, according to NAPTIP. Plans are underway to rehabilitate them and facilitate their safe return to their communities.

Meanwhile, investigations continue, with efforts being made to trace other members of the trafficking network and identify more victims who may still be trapped.

NAPTIP has also hinted at upcoming clampdowns in other states, as part of its strategy to send a strong message to traffickers and their enablers.

“This is just the beginning. Anyone involved in trafficking, directly or indirectly, will be brought to justice,” Bello warned.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of human trafficking, the latest raid in Katsina stands as a testament to the agency’s determination to dismantle the networks of exploitation and give victims a chance at a new life.