The Kano State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued 13 victims of human trafficking in the state.
The state commandant of the corps, Mohammed Lawal-Falala, disclosed this while briefing reporters on Tuesday in Kano.
Mr Lawal-Falala disclosed that the victims were rescued on May 20 at Dan Tsinke Quarters in Tarauni Local Government Area of the state.
He said the corps received information that a man kept young female children in his house and trafficked them to Cameroon to seek greener pastures.
”On receiving the information, special surveillance was coordinated by the corps operatives attached to Tarauni Division and the victims were rescued,” said Mr Lawal-Falala.
He also disclosed that the operatives of the corps arrested one suspect for keeping the victims in his house while the two prime suspects were still at large.
The corps commander explained that the rescued victims included five women, three female children, a boy and four men.
“The rescued victims were on their way to Maiduguri en route to Cameroon for labour exploitation.
“Out of the 13 victims, 10 are from Kano, while three are from Jigawa,” Mr Lawal-Falala said.
The commandant said the victims would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for necessary action.
He called on the state residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity as the command would continue to ensure a crime-free and safe state.
Mr Lawal-Falala called on parents to protect their wards from being exploited and lured into slavery in the name of seeking greener pastures.
Similarly, he said the corps arrested one suspect who was specialising in stealing tricycles and handsets.
Mr Lawal-Falala said the operatives of the corps arrested the suspect on May 20 in Kano Metropolis.
“Several people have been coming to the command to lodge complaints against the suspect on tricycle theft,” he said.
He said the suspects would be charged to court upon completing the investigation.
NAN