The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 12 women from suspected traffickers in Kano State.
The women, aged between 15 and 50, were intercepted in a joint operation with the Kano State Hisbah Board.
Speaking while receiving the victims from Hisbah officials on Monday, the Kano Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Abdullahi Babale, confirmed the development.
He said the women were being moved to Ghana and later to Saudi Arabia, where they were likely to be exploited for forced labour.
The victims are from Kano, Katsina, Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara states. One suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohammed Saleh, has been arrested, while others involved in the trafficking network are still being tracked.
Babale assured that the rescued women would not be left without support.
“They will receive counselling and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families. NAPTIP always works with a victim-centred approach,” he explained.
He also urged parents and community members to be more vigilant.
“We call on the public to report any suspicious movement or activities related to human trafficking,” he added.