By P. Michael
In the course of my work, I gleaned valuable insights this week from security agents in Mali with whom I collaborated on a rescue mission. This experience has raised concerns about potential collaboration between Nigerian security agencies and kidnappers for ransom-sharing. Without such collusion, it would be challenging for kidnappers to succeed where security measures are effective.
The
incident began with a distressing message from Nigeria regarding a 16-year-old
girl trafficked to Mali for sex trade. The victim contacted her parents, who
urgently relayed the message to me through a government agency for immediate
rescue.
Upon
attempting to communicate with the traffickers using the victim's provided
number, they refused to release her and subsequently deactivated the line. In
response, I informed a security agent about the situation, prioritizing the
rescue of the exploited girl.
The
traffickers' changed phone number and unavailability posed challenges, but with
the assistance of the security agent, we obtained the village name and their
new contact details. Undertaking a 15-hour journey, we arrived at the village
in the midnight hours.
Through
meticulous surveillance, we pinpointed the exact location where the traffickers
last used the phone number. Additional information revealed a scheduled meeting
for the following day at 11:00 am. Staking out the location, we monitored the
person entering the house, and on 20/12/22, successfully rescued the victim
without alerting the perpetrators.
This
incident prompts speculation that ransom collection in Nigeria may involve
collaboration between kidnappers and security agencies. If this is not the
case, there should be no reason for Nigerians to pay ransom, assuming our law
enforcement has the necessary security equipment.
It's
crucial to differentiate this trafficking issue from cases where criminals
repeatedly contact victims for ransom. In Mali, such actions would likely lead
to swift apprehension. Hence, I posit that Nigerian security agents might be
collaborating with kidnappers to extort ransom from the public.
By P.
Michael.
Global
Anti Human Trafficking Organization (GAHTO). MALI.
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