Hisbah Arrests Suspected Human Trafficker with 12 Women in Kano

The Hisbah Command in Kano arrested a suspected human trafficker with 12 women at Zaria Road motor park while allegedly attempting to transport them to Lagos.

Hisbah Command Intercepts Suspected Human Trafficker in Kano

The Kano State Hisbah Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected human trafficker who was caught with 12 women at Zaria Road motor park. The suspect, reportedly from Borno State, was apprehended by operatives led by Muhammad Bashir, the Officer in Charge of motor parks.

According to Sheikh Mujahideen Aminuddeen, the Deputy Commander General of Hisbah, the suspect was attempting to transport the women to Lagos, with plans to further move them through Benin Republic and Ghana before reaching Sierra Leone, where they were allegedly to be facilitated with Saudi Arabian visas for employment.

Victims and Trafficking Network Details

Preliminary investigations revealed that each of the women was in possession of an international passport. The victims reportedly paid ₦1.5 million each as an initial fee, with a promise to settle the balance after securing jobs abroad.

The arrested victims included:

A 50-year-old woman.
Two women aged 23.
Two women aged 20.
Several teenagers, some as young as 15 years old.

The women came from different states, including:

Three from Katsina State.
Two from Kano State.
One each from Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara States.

This arrest highlights the growing concerns about human trafficking in Nigeria, especially in Northern states, where many young women are lured with fake promises of jobs abroad.

Hisbah’s Role in Combating Human Trafficking

The Kano State Hisbah Command has been increasingly active in monitoring motor parks and border points to curb illegal activities, including trafficking and immoral conduct. This latest arrest underscores the importance of vigilance in preventing vulnerable women from falling prey to traffickers.

Nigeria continues to battle with human trafficking challenges despite interventions from agencies such as NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) and religious enforcement bodies like Hisbah. Collaborative efforts between state commands and federal agencies remain critical in ensuring the safety of citizens.

Broader Implications for Human Trafficking in Nigeria

This case sheds light on the trafficking routes often used by syndicates—from Northern Nigeria through Lagos and neighboring West African countries before reaching destinations like Saudi Arabia. Many victims are promised jobs as domestic workers or in other sectors but often end up in exploitative situations.

To address this, experts recommend:

Stronger awareness campaigns for communities at risk.
Tighter monitoring of motor parks and border crossings.
Increased prosecution of human traffickers to deter others.
Support and rehabilitation programs for rescued victims.

The Hisbah Command’s arrest of a suspected trafficker with 12 women in Kano is a stark reminder of the ongoing human trafficking crisis in Nigeria. With victims as young as 15, the incident calls for urgent action from both state and federal agencies to strengthen anti-trafficking measures.

For more updates on related cases, check out the latest reports on human trafficking in Nigeria and efforts being made to safeguard vulnerable communities.