The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully intercepted and returned 46 women and children from Katsina State who were attempting to migrate irregularly to the Republic of Chad. The interception occurred at the Maiduguri border in Borno State, where the victims were seeking better economic opportunities abroad. Many of the women and children reported that their decision to embark on this perilous journey was driven by the severe economic hardship they faced in Nigeria.

One of the victims, Naja’atu Salisu, a mother of two from Zango Local Government Area, explained that their intention was to seek lawful means of livelihood through trade, specifically in Chad. She indicated that the journey had been poorly planned and that they had raised funds through family support, showing the lengths individuals go to in search of better living conditions. This incident highlights the persistent issues of trafficking and irregular migration in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for effective measures to combat human trafficking.

The return of these individuals emphasizes NAPTIP's commitment to addressing human trafficking in the region. However, the underlying root causes, such as poverty, lack of job opportunities, and economic instability in Nigeria, continue to fuel such attempts. This incident serves as a reminder that more comprehensive strategies, including education and economic development initiatives, are required to address the factors that lead individuals to seek unsafe and illegal migration paths.