The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Borno State Command, has arrested a suspected human trafficker and rescued 59 victims who were being transported toward N’Djamena through the Nigeria–Chad Republic border.
The suspect, identified as Ismaila Alhassan, a native of Katsina State, was intercepted by NIS operatives while travelling without valid passport or other travel documents. The rescued victims, all female and also from Katsina State, were found in his custody.
Parading the suspect at the NIS headquarters in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the State Comptroller, MT Musa, said the arrest was made through an established community intelligence network operating in border communities.
According to Musa, the victims began their journey from Katsina to Maiduguri and later to the Gambarou border area, with plans to illegally cross into Chad. Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly lured them with promises of non-existent jobs in Chad.
The Comptroller warned the public against falling for such offers, noting that victims of human trafficking are often exposed to severe risks, including exploitation and organ harvesting.
He added that the NIS is prepared to reactivate strategic checkpoints to curb human trafficking and other transborder crimes before suspects reach border areas.
Musa further disclosed that both the suspect and the rescued victims would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) zonal office for further investigation and necessary action.
