The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Monday announced it rescued 17 victims of human trafficking and arrested four suspects during a raid on a popular hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The operation, which was carried out with military help at the facility in the 33 area of the commercial metropolis, resulted in the arrest of two further suspects reportedly involved in baby trafficking across Southeast states.
NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, revealed this in a statement titled, ‘NAPTIP stings human traffickers in Anambra: raids popular hotel in Onitsha, arrests four suspects, rescues 17 victims.’
According to him, four of the rescued victims tested positive for HIV and are now receiving counseling and medical care from NAPTIP caregivers and volunteers from the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency.
According to Adekoye, the raid was conducted in response to credible intelligence from a non-state actor indicating the presence of underage girls at the hotel and worries about their deteriorating health.
Preliminary investigations also found that locals had long complained about unusual activity at the 45-room facility, particularly the frequent arrival of men who reportedly patronized minor girls.
During the raid, several victims were reportedly located with customers, while others, dressed in revealing attire, were said to be waiting for clients.
During interrogation, the victims told officials that they were recruited in Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom states and trafficked to Onitsha for prostitution.
They claimed that after sleeping with many clients, they were expected to pay their handler, sometimes known as “madam,” between N20,000 and N25,000 every day.
One of the victims said, “My boyfriend told me there was a job for me in Onitsha. When I arrived, the madam sent someone to pick me up at the park and introduced me to this hustling job.
“She said I would pay her N20,000 daily and that after one year she would give me a box of clothes and N500,000 so I could start my own business. It is not with a good mind that I am doing this job, but it was too late for me to refuse.”
Another victim, whose HIV status the agency described as compromised, claimed that their handler confiscated medication provided by health workers.
“When they tested us and told me I was infected, they gave us drugs. But after they left, our madam beat us because we came out to see them. She seized the medicine and warned us never to go for treatment again,” she said.
Speaking on the development, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu-Bello expressed concern over the victims’ health and condemned the actions of their alleged handler.
“I want to sincerely thank the military in Onitsha and the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team under the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency for their timely support and collaboration during this operation,” she said.
“I am devastated by the health status of the rescued victims and the action of their so-called Madam, who confiscated their antiretroviral medicines and prevented them from accessing medical care. This is a criminal act, and we have launched a manhunt for her.”
Adamu-Bello also stated that the hotel owner had been summoned for interrogation to evaluate potential punishment against the facility.
She emphasized the agency’s commitment to stepping up efforts to dismantle trafficking networks across the country, warning that traffickers would face stricter enforcement measures.
The NAPTIP chief has promised to make 2026 “unpleasant” for human traffickers who fail to stop the criminal trade.
