NAPTIP DG Directs Comprehensive Rehabilitation For Iraqi Returnee

Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has directed for a comprehensive rehabilitation procedure and interview session with the rescued victim of human trafficking, Miss Odunayo Eniola Isaac, who arrived Nigeria from Iraq few days ago.

NAPTIP, in collaboration with other partners, including members of the Civil Society Organization and foreign agencies, had facilitated Miss Eniola Isaac’s return from Baghdad following a viral video and media reports that escalated her ordeal in the hands of her Iraqi taskmaster.

The victim arrived in Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and was received by NAPTIP Operatives.

Speaking while receiving the victim at the Agency’s Headquarters, Abuja, the Director General expressed sadness over the traumatic experience and the hardship faced by the victim and ordered immediate rehabilitation programme, counseling as well as an interview to ascertain the medical status, nature of assistance needed, and immediate psychosocial need of the victim.

The victim, Ms Odunayo said she was taken to the hospital on the 24th January 2023 to certify her medically fit for the job she would be assigned to do.

She explained that her Iraqi Agent, Alhaja Shakirat Yusuf whom she knows as only ‘Mama Uganda’ came to WB Warani Manpower to sign her in officially on the 25th January 2023 and was assigned to work for an Iraqi family of eight (six children and two parents) on 29th of January 2023.

According to Ms Odunayo, her work hours span about twenty hours plus a day, with little or no resting time.

She explained further that after one month of work, she requested for her salary and her madam said that, because of the high commission in paying money into accounts in Nigeria she would be paid every two months and she agreed, but after four months, she still was not paid, hence her ordeal began when she dared to request payment.

PR Florence Adewale