Kebbi Immigration rescues girl, 26 from being lured to Libya

From Ismail Adebayo Birnin Kebbi

Nigeria Immigration Service kebbi State Command has rescued a 26 year old girl, Elizabeth Ajoke Michael from being lured to Libya by human traffickers that arranged her for the journey through illela border in Sokoto..

While briefing journalists at her office in Birnin Kebbi, , State Comptroller of NIS, Rabi Bashir Nuhu said Ajoke claimed that a woman who was identified as Mrs Edu in ikorodu area of Lagos recruited her for the journey to Libya.

Nuhu said the girl was rescued by immigration officials at the Yauri border post on her way to illela border in Sokoto where she was expected to be moved to Libya by the trafficker's contact person.

While responding to questions from journalists at the immigration headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the 26 year old girl said the woman who recruited her for the Libya journey told her she would be joining her daughter and husband that are based there.

"I became frustrated when I couldn't get any job to do after graduating as a hair dresser in Lagos. 

"I was ready to do anything to survive. I had to accept the Libya journey when Mrs Edu proposed it to me. She is the one who took me to the park where I boarded vehicle enroute illela border", she said.

While handing over the girl to officials of NAPTIP in her office, Nuhu said "When we interrogated her she said they gave her a number belonging to one yet to be identified man that would pick her up at illela border".

Representative of NAPTIP, Sadiq Atiku Abubakar said those behind the plan to move the girl to Libya would be investigated and prosecuted. He said the girl would under go rehabilitation and training in any skill acquisition before rejoining her with her family.