A 22-year-old woman narrowly escaped from a human traffickers‘ den in Kano as she was on the verge of being trafficked to Libya after being deceived with a job offer in Lagos.
The suspected human trafficker, identified as Mrs. Olushola Areke, was alleged to be a family friend to whom the lady’s parents had entrusted her.
The arrest of the suspected trafficker followed an operation by the Nigerian Army. Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, confirmed the arrest, stating, “Troops of 65 Battalion Nigerian Army, operating under the 81 Division Nigerian Army, NA, have successfully apprehended a human trafficker in Lagos. Following actionable intelligence, Mrs. Olushola Areke was apprehended in connection with human trafficking.”
According to Ayeni, the suspect was accused of kidnapping Miss Fayoke Kunle, the 22-year-old daughter of Mrs. Ainor Kunle. Mrs. Kunle claimed she had voluntarily handed over her daughter to the suspected kidnapper, who had promised to provide employment for the young girl in Oshodi, Lagos.
However, instead of fulfilling her promise, the suspect took Miss Kunle to Kano, where the victim discovered herself and overheard discussions about being transported to Libya. Courageously, Miss Kunle managed to escape from her captor and returned home on April 23, 2024.
“In response to this alarming news, troops reached out to Mrs. Areke and subsequently arrested her at the designated meeting point, where she intended to pick up her supposed other victims. Both the suspect and the victim have been handed over to the Ajah Police Command in Lagos for further investigation,” Ayeni added.
He urged the public to continue supporting the Nigerian Army by providing timely information to aid in maintaining law and order, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to promoting peace and stability across its Area of Responsibility.
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