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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on Monday said it rescued 17 victims of human trafficking and arrested four suspects during a raid on a popular hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The operation, carried out with military support at the facility located in the 33 area of the commercial city, also led to the arrest of two additional suspects allegedly linked to baby trafficking across states in the South-East.
NAPTIP’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed 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 currently receiving counselling and medical support from NAPTIP caregivers and volunteers of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency.
Adekoye said the raid followed credible intelligence from a non-state actor, which indicated the presence of underage girls at the hotel and concerns over their worsening health conditions.
Preliminary investigations also revealed that residents had long complained about suspicious activities at the 45-room facility, particularly the frequent influx of men allegedly patronising underage girls.
During the operation, some victims were reportedly found with customers, while others, dressed in revealing outfits, were said to be waiting for clients.
Under interrogation, the victims told officials they were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states and trafficked to Onitsha for prostitution.
They alleged that each of them was required to remit between N20,000 and N25,000 daily to their handler, popularly referred to as “madam,” after sleeping with multiple clients.
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 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, alleged 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.
Reacting to 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 added that the hotel owner had been invited for questioning to determine possible sanctions against the facility.
She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying efforts to dismantle trafficking networks across the country, warning that traffickers would face tougher enforcement measures.
The NAPTIP boss recently vowed to make 2026 “unpleasant” for human traffickers who refuse to abandon the illegal trade.
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